Page 19 of A Ticking Time Boss

“I understand there have been significant changes made at the Globe over the past few weeks. I want you all to know that while there will be more changes to come, I, as well as the entire executive team, will always strive to be clear and direct with you about the decisions we take.”

In the brief silence, the entire room holds its breath.

“Unfortunately, the reason I asked you all here today is because we have to offer a number of employees buyouts. Two departments of the Globe will cease to exist by the end of the month. A few select employees will be asked to stay on in other capacities.”

The ripple over the room is instantaneous. Carter raises a hand, forestalling the murmured outbursts. “It affects editorial and circulation.”

I look around the room. While I don’t know everyone’s name yet, I’ve been introduced to a few in the affected departments. They’re huge. Surely he’s just restructuring? I see Mona sitting with her head in her hands, covering her eyes. She’d been so nice to me on my first day.

Something twists inside my chest.

He’s destroying their careers.

“I understand this is difficult news,” Carter says. My eyes zero in on him. There’s no kindness or playfulness on his face now, set in serious lines. It makes him look older than he is.

At least he doesn’t seem to be reveling in it.

“These decisions were a long time coming and were not made lightly. The relevant department heads will be your points of contact for severance and logistics. Thank you all, and if there are no further questions, I’ll let you get on with your day.”

He nods toward us and turns. Is he leaving?

If there are no further questions, he’d said. But he hadn’t asked if we had any.

I raise my hand.

People around me turn to look, but I keep it up high, my heart pounding in my chest. If no one else is going to challenge him, then I will.

Wesley notices me. “Mr. Kingsley?” he says.

Carter turns back to the crowd, his eyes searching. They widen when they stop on me. It’s tiny, but it’s there, the acknowledgement. “Yes?”

“You said this decision didn’t come lightly,” I say, my voice carrying across the room. “Will you explain why it was made in the first place? And why these two departments?”

His eyes leave mine, traveling across the crowd of people, all turning toward him for answers. The air is thick. “As many of you know, the Globe has been struggling for years. The landscape for print media is changing, and we have to change with it. While the affected departments are important in their own right, cuts are necessary, and after doing the math… these departments don’t add up.”

His gaze returns to mine. There’s finally a challenge in it. Was that good enough?

“Will there be more cuts?” I ask. Adrenaline is like a hypnotic beat beneath my skin, warning me about the danger here. But the words come out without shaking.

Carter shakes his head. “I can’t tell you that, Miss…?”

He knows it, so he has to be pretending for my sake. “Ford,” I say.

“Miss Ford,” he echoes, eyes lighting up. Like he’s enjoying this. “I understand the desire for more clarity, but I assure you, as soon as I have more information I will share it with you. That will be all for today.”

Judging from his tone, he means it this time.

People disperse. There are hushed conversations, murmured laments. I watch one person race toward the bathroom, their steps hurried and a hand pressed over their eyes.

It’s carnage.

I wander into the main corridor in a daze. People’s jobs, gone in a heartbeat. Just like that. People shuffle around me, heading off in different directions, but I just lean against the wall. I’d spent time with Carter. I’d laughed with him. The memories feel dirty, now. Tainted.

Maybe I’m overreacting, but all I can see is Mona with her head in her hands. I don’t know how long I stand there.

“Hello.”

It’s Carter. I push off from the wall, looking around, but people aren’t milling about. They’ve fled this room. Fled from him, more likely.

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