Chapter 8 - Cleaning House
The following Monday morning, Northstar Build Systems felt like an entirely different organization.
The toxic atmosphere that had slowly been creeping through the administrative corridors over the past month had evaporated. With Madison Pierce facing multiple felony charges and Carter Hayes forced into a humiliating public resignation at Apex Development, the remaining staff moved with renewed energy and relief.
Emma spent the morning walking through each department alongside Grant. For years, she had preferred working behind the scenes, focusing on her private architecture practice while letting Grant handle the corporate spotlight. But the incident in the lobby had served as a stark wake-up call for both of them.
""We got complacent,"" Grant admitted as they stood on the observation balcony overlooking the open-plan engineering bullpen. ""I was spending eighty hours a week chasing deals, completely blind to what was happening right under my nose. If you hadn't walked through those doors on Friday...""
""I walked through those doors because you broke a lunch promise,"" Emma reminded him with a gentle nudge to his ribs. ""Never underestimate the power of an annoyed wife with an appetite.""
Grant laughed, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. ""Never again. I promise.""
Their conversation was interrupted by the chime of the elevator doors. An older woman with silver curls and sharp, warm eyes stepped onto the floor, carrying a fresh bouquet of hydrangeas.
""Carol!"" Emma exclaimed, hurrying forward to embrace the woman who had managed Grant's professional life for nearly two decades.
""Emma, darling!"" Carol said, hugging her tightly before turning to glare playfully at Grant. ""I leave for three months to help my daughter with the twins, and you almost let a sociopath run Northstar into the ground? Honestly, Grant, you can't be trusted without supervision.""
""Carol, please tell me you're back,"" Grant pleaded, putting his hands together as if praying. ""I'll double your salary. I'll buy you a company helicopter. Just tell me you're sitting behind that desk again.""
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Carol chuckled softly. ""Only on three conditions. First: thirty-two hours a week, strictly four days. Second: full administrative authority over all junior hiring. And third..."" She looked pointedly at Emma. ""Emma comes into this office twice a week to keep you honest.""
""Deal,"" Emma said instantly, shaking Carol's hand before Grant could even open his mouth.
