The CEO Above My Desk (Mckenzie Shinabery) novel Chapter 252

The CEO Above My Desk

Chapter 252

Violet

We slipped away from the crowd and moved toward the entrance of the reception hall.

Far enough that nobody could overhear us. The laughter became distant. The music softened. The celebration continued without us.

I turned toward her. “What is it?”

Avery swallowed hard. Her fingers tightened around the paper plate. For several seconds she said nothing. Then finally, “Would it be possible for me to work for Ashcroft Industries again?”

The question hit me completely out of nowhere. I stared at her.

Avery rushed to continue before I could answer. “I know Rowan won’t listen to me. Her voice shook. ‘I know things can never go back to the way they were before She laughed softly. A broken little sound. “I know that.” Tears filled her eyes. “But I don’t have anything, Violet.”

My chest tightened.

“What happened with witness protection?” I asked quietly.

Avery shook her head. “It ended.”

“What do you mean?”

“Hargrove is in prison.” She looked away. “Calder’s dead.” Another pause. “Marcus and Asher are both behind bars.” Her shoulders slumped. “The judge didn’t see the point.”

Silence settled between us.

Avery stared toward the floor. “I’ve applied everywhere.” Her voice cracked. “Grocery stores.” Another tear slid down her cheek. “Reception jobs.” She laughed bitterly. “Coffee shops.”

I said nothing. Because what could I say?

She wasn’t wrong. Everyone knew her name now. Everyone knew what happeried. Everyone knew who she had been connected tb.

No employer wanted that liability. No employer wanted the headlines. No employer wanted the risk.

“I don’t think Rowan would hire you back like the way things were before.”

Avery nodded immediately. “I know.” No argument. No denial. No anger. Just acceptance. “I don’t expect that.” Her eyes met mine. Desperate. Hopeful. Broken. All at once. “I just need a chance. Her voice finally cracked completely. A tear rolled down her cheek. Then another. Any position. She looked awa Ashamed. I’ll clean bathrooms if I have to.”

My heart shattered a little.

Because for the first time since I’d met Avery Quinneth… She wasn’t asking for power. She wasn’t asking for status. She wasn’t asking for recognition. She was asking to survive.

11:25 am

Chapter 252

PPP

And then she looked back at me Tears filled her eyes, Please, Violet. Her voice barely rose above a whisper. ‘Help me.”

The words settled heavily between us.

For a moment, all I could hear was the muffled sound of laughter coming from the party beyond the doors. Someone cheered. Music drifted through the walls. Camille’s laugh carried faintly through the reception hall.

Life.

Everyone inside was celebrating life.

Meanwhile, standing in front of me was a woman whose entire life had fallen apart.

And the worst part? I understood both sides. I understood why Rowan would never want her back. But I also understood the desperation written all over her face.

I rubbed my forehead slowly. “Avery…” Her eyes immediately filled with hope. Which somehow made this worse. Much worse. Because I wasn’t sure I had anything hopeful to give her. “You have to understand something.”

She nodded immediately. “I do.”

“No. Listen.” My voice softened. Because despite everything that happened, I wasn’t trying to hurt her. I just needed her to understand reality. “The company doesn’t really exist right now.”

Confusion crossed her face.

I sighed. “The headquarters is gone.” I gestured vaguely. “The temporary offices are barely functioning. Another pause. “The new building won’t even be finished for another year.”

The hope in her expression flickered. Not

Just

dimmed. A year?”

I nodded. “Construction hasn’t even

started

yet.”

Silence.

Avery stared down at the floor. Then slowly looked back up. “I can wait.”

I blinked. “What?”

“I can collect unemployment.”

The answer came so quickly it was obvious she’d already thought this through. Thought about it a lot. “I can wait for the building.”

‘Avery-

“No, listen. Her voice cracked. She stepped closer. “I don’t need some executive position. I don’t need an office. I don’t need authority. I don’t need any of that… I just need a job.” The words came out broken. Raw. Honest. “I need something waiting for me.” She swallowed hard. ‘I need a chance to rebuild my life.”

I closed my eyes briefly. Because God. How had I ended up here? How had this become my problem? This wasn’t even my company. I wasn’t Human Resources. I wasn’t the CEO. I wasn’t the hiring manager.

11:25 am

PPP.

Chapter 252.

was just the idiot standing in the middle. Again. Somehow. Always.

Avery continued before I could respond. I know nobody trusts me. A bitter laugh escaped her. “Honestly?” She wiped at her eyes. “I don’t blame them. I lied. I hid things. I helped the wrong people, Her voice dropped. “I hurt people. I know Rowan hates me.”

I immediately opened my mouth. Then stopped. I wasn’t sure hate was the right word.

Distrust? Absolutely.

Disappointment? Definitely.

Betrayal? Without question.

But hate? I wasn’t sure Rowan hated anyone.

Avery looked directly at me. “I know he’ll never trust me again. I just need him to give me one chance.”

I sighed deeply, my chest tightening once more with pity. “Avery…”

Her voice cracked, “Please…

T

If I said yes, I would potentially be asking Rowan to reopen a wound that still hasn’t healed… for anyone. If I said no though, I don’t know if I would be able to live with myself. This was someone who was asking for help… who needed it.

“Avery, I don’t know what you want me to say.”

Her face crumpled, and immediately, I felt awful. Because it was the truth. I didn’t know.

Suddenly, warm arms wrapped around my waist from behind me. I jumped a little bit, startled from the contact, but relaxed once I felt it was Rowan. His chest settled against my back while his chin rested lightly near my temple.

His voice broke through the tension, “What

is

it you want, Avery?”

The question was simple, but Avery seemed to be frozen. She wasn’t talking to me anymore… she was talking with Rowan, her ex–boss, and the man she had manipulated, the man she had betrayed and lied to.

She straightened once her brain started to work again and fresh tears filled her eyes, “I just need a chance. I know I don’t deserve ose. You don’t owe me anything, I know that.” She took a shaky breath before continuing, “I know I hurt you, your company, the people you love and respect, but please,” Her shoulders started to shake then, “I don’t have anyone else to go to.”

Rowan remained motionless behind me.

Avery looked at me then and actually started to beg, “Please…” Her voice broke again, “I’ll do anything. Any position. I’ll even clean bathrooms. I’ll mop floors.” She shook her head, “I don’t care, I just need a chance.”

PPP

The CEO Above My Desk.