Page 66 of The Billionaire's Betrayal
The moment I ended the call, I booked a flight to London and rushed home to pack my bag.
I never got the chance to board that plane.
41.You have to step down
TRISTAN
I was on my way to the airport, my heart filled with hope at the thought of seeing Eva again, when my phone rang.It was the Australian branch.From the very first words, I knew the situation was critical.The project was on the verge of collapse—unrealistic specifications, demands far exceeding local capabilities, and safety measures impossible to implement in the given context.In her relentless drive to impress, Audrey had pushed every limit of the project’s requirements, and now the entire operation was buckling under the weight of her reckless ambition.
The project manager, a seasoned professional I respected, didn’t bother hiding his frustration.
"Audrey dismisses all my concerns, even the most legitimate ones, he told me.We can’t work under these conditions."
His voice carried weeks of pent-up frustration.
It would have been easy—so easy—to blame it all on Audrey.To call out her rash decisions, her obsessive need to stand out.But as I listened to the growing list of problems, one truth became undeniable: the real culprit was me.I had entrusted an inexperienced employee with responsibilities far beyond her skill level, eager to give her a chance to shine.Worse, I had deliberately ignored Eva’s warnings.
I had wanted to believe Audrey would rise to the challenge, that she would recognize her own limits and come to me if she needed help.Instead, she had been swept away by her newfound authority, blinded by her desire to prove herself.
A painful knot formed in my chest.Eva was in London, and every fiber of my being urged me to keep going to the airport.But the Australian team was counting on me.I couldn’t abandon them to deal with the consequences of my own mistakes.
I closed my eyes for a brief moment, weighed down by the impossible choice before me.Then, with a heavy heart, I asked Lorenzo to turn the car around and take me back to the office.
It took me two hours to go through the Australian branch’s reports, and the deeper I dug, the worse it got.
"You wanted to see me, Tristan?"Audrey asked as she walked in, her slightly forced smile betraying her unease.
I barely looked up from my screen, my jaw tight.
"Yes.Sit down."
I placed a stack of documents on the table, pages covered in red notes.She sat, her hands nervously clasped on her lap.The confidence she usually radiated seemed to have evaporated.
"Can you explain what’s going on?"I asked."This report states that the Australian teams had to halt work on three sites due to security flaws and incomplete specifications.They’re facing massive delays and unanticipated risks.I thought we had signed off on all technical documents before launch?"
Audrey frowned, immediately adopting a defensive stance.
"I… tried to make some improvements to the project, " she replied slowly, clearly choosing her words carefully."The initial plans felt… too limited.I wanted to show that the Australian branch could do better, stand out with bold innovation."
I closed my eyes for a moment, rubbing my forehead to contain my growing frustration.The very boldness that had once impressed me was now proving to be sheer recklessness.
"And you didn’t think to inform me?You unilaterally decided to overhaul the entire project without consulting the experienced project manager I assigned to you?"
She crossed her arms, her gaze defiant.
"He’s old school and resistant to change.I wanted to prove I could make a difference and show what I’m capable of."
I stared at her, my patience wearing thin.The very trait I had once admired now felt dangerously immature.
"Audrey, he had valid reasons for opposing your changes.And you would have known that if you had listened.The goal isn’t to shine by taking reckless risks.It’s to deliver quality work while following the rules, especially in such a high-stakes industry.You ignored local regulations, site conditions, and took unacceptable risks.We’re talking about millions of euros in investment, Audrey, and the safety of our teams.This is a serious offense!"
She recoiled, as if my words had physically struck her.
"I… I can fix this, Tristan.Just give me a chance to make it right."
"It’s not that simple, I countered.The project is stalled.We’ve lost the trust of our teams on-site, and I have to answer to the board.I can’t let you stay in this role."
Her face crumbled, and she shook her head vehemently, her professional facade shattering completely.
