8.
Brittany bit her lip and started shaking.
I didn’t care. I just watched her, waiting for
her to get the divorce papers.
But just as she opened the drawer, the
assistant ran in again.
く
“Brittany, are you done yet? Security can’t
hold on much longer!”
Brittany looked at me, pleading.
I didn’t want to argue and walked out.
“If you don’t want to sign the papers now, I’ll
see you in court. I’ve got time.”
I slammed the door and went into the main
office. It was packed.
Everyone was there, not just the security
people.
They looked worried, pleading.
“Mr. Hayes, we heard Security’s about to
break down.”
“Mr. Hayes, please help us! I’ve got a family
to take care of. I’ve got a mortgage, a car
payment. I need this job.”
Brittany stumbled out of her office, being
supported by the assistant.
“Ethan, please, this company needs you. Do it
for the sake of everyone who works here.”
Brittany was crying, leaning on the assistant.
I took a deep breath and let it out.
Everyone watched me.
Then, I smiled. They got excited.
く
“I knew Mr. Hayes wouldn’t give up on us!”
“I told you guys, Mr. Hayes wouldn’t do
something like this!”
But then I spoke.
“There’s a network problem? Why are you
asking me, the former head of Network
Security?”
“Go ask Chad Matthews!
“After all, last time the company was in
trouble, Chad suddenly became an expert and
saved us from bankruptcy.”
“I’m not getting involved. I don’t want to go
back to jail.”
く
“The cameras are all on.”
I grinned and pushed through the crowd.
The security people ran up to me.
“Help us, please! We can’t hold on.”
I looked at my former student. I’d taught him
everything he knew. In a little over a year,
he’d become a great security expert and was
making six figures.
But I’d seen him in the crowd yelling at me.
I heard what he said.
“I’m losing my bonus and half my pay!”
I laughed.
“I don’t want to go near the server room. Last
time I did, you guys lost your bonuses and
pay. Ask Chad. At least you can keep a
quarter of your salary.”
I pushed through the crowd and tried to leave.
But they wouldn’t let me.