The CEO Above My Desk (Mckenzie Shinabery) novel Chapter 253

Chapter 253

Rowan

The woman standing in front of me wasn’t the Avery Quinneth who used to walk through my office carrying schedules and reports like she owned the building.

She wasn’t the woman who thought she knew everything.

Who thought she was smarter than everyone around her.

Who believed she could play both sides and somehow come out untouched.

That woman was gone.

This woman looked exhausted. Broken. Scared.

I hated that I understood exactly how she felt. Because I knew what it was like to watch your entire life collapse. I knew what it was like to wake up one morning and realize everything you built was gone.

The difference was… My building could be rebuilt. Avery’s reputation couldn’t.

The silence stretched.

Violet shifted slightly in my arms. I could feel her thinking. Worrying. Trying to figure out how to help without betraying me in the process. Because that was who she was.

She saw the good in people. Even when they didn’t deserve it. Especially when they didn’t deserve it.

Avery wiped furiously at her face. “I know I don’t deserve another chance.”

“No.”

Her head snapped up.

I stared at her. “No. You don’t.”

I watched her physically flinch. I wasn’t interested in sugarcoating anything. I never was. That was all Violet.

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“You like to me. You put people at risk.”

Her shoulders slumped, “I know,” she whispered.

“I love employees because people thought they couldn’t trust leadership. My company collapsed.”

She sniffled, “I know.” The words came out barely above a whisper.

I tightened my arms slightly around Violet. Grounding myself.

Because despite everything… I wasn’t angry anymore.

Chapter 253

printed? Absolutely

Cautious? Without question.

But angry? No. I was too tired to be angry.

The woman standing in front of me wasn’t a threat anymore. She was just someone drowning, someone trying to survive.

Finally, I exhaled. “No.”

Avery froze, that tiny spark of hope dying in her eyes as she nodded once before whispering, “Okay….

She turned slightly, preparing to leave, and that’s when I continued, “You will never work in my executive offices again.”

She stopped moving, looking back at me.

I kept going, “You will never have access to company finances. You will never have access to any confidential files. You will never hold a management position at all.*

Tears started to slide down her face, but she didn’t argue. She didn’t complain or negotiate. She simply listened.

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“If you’re asking whether I trust you…” I shook my head. “No. If you’re asking whether I forgive you…” I hesitated, knowing this was going to make me look unreasonable. “That’s none of your business.”

Avery looked shocked, and Violet snorted in my arms.

“If you’re asking whether I’ll give you an opportunity…” I paused, watching the hope return in her eyes, “The answer is yes.”

Her hand flew to her mouth, “Oh my god!” Tears streaming down her cheeks once more.

I wasn’t finished yet. “Don’t thank me yet. Immediately, her mouth snapped shut, and I continued. “The housing rehabilitation project is moving forward.”

Avery stared. “The shelter?”

“Yes.” I nodded. “The one being built on my old headquarters property. You’ll start there as administrative support.”

She nodded rapidly, “So reception?”

“Among other things.”

She looked ready to agree to literally anything. Which honestly made this easier.

I continued. “You will report directly to a supervisor.”

Not me.

Avery immediately understood. I could see it on her face.

“You won’t report to me.”

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“You won’t report to Violet.”

“No.”

“You won’t have direct access to me.”

Another nod. “Okay.”

‘You answer to your supervisor.” I looked directly at her. “If they tell you to file paperwork, you file paperwork.”

She nodded.

“If they tell you to answer phones, you answer phones.”

More nodding.

“If they tell you to make coffee, you make coffee.”

A tiny laugh escaped her through tears. “Okay.”

I wasn’t joking. “You re starting from the bottom.”

Her smile disappeared. Reality settling back in.

Good.

Because she needed realistic expectations.

“The salary won’t be what you’re used to.”

Avery swallowed. “I figured.”

“No.” I shook my head. “You didn’t.”

Silence.

“You were making six to eight thousand dollars a month.”

She looked away. Embarrassed.

I continued. “You’ll be making closer to two to three thousand.”

Her eyes widened slightly. Then she nodded. “Okay.”

No complaint.

“That’s where you’ll stay until you’ve proven yourself. And if your supervisor believes you’re not doing your job…” I shrugged. “They can fire you.

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Chapter 253

Tamerlately, she straightened. “I won’t give them a reason.”

“See that you don’t. Because I meant it. Entirely. “There will be no special treatment.”

Avery nodded. “No exceptions.”

“No second chances after this one.”

Her eyes filled again. “I understand.”

I studied her for another moment. Trying to determine whether she actually did understand.

Or whether she was simply agreeing because she was desperate. Probably both.

Finally, I sighed. “Your first check will arrive next Wednesday.”

Avery blinked. “What?”

“You heard me.”

Her mouth opened. Then closed. Then opened again. “Wait.” She looked completely stunned. “I thought…”

I already knew where this was going.

“That I’d hire you and tell you to wait a year?”

Avery nodded slowly. “Yes.”

I shook my head. “That would be stupid.”

Violet laughed outright this time. I ignored her too.

“The housing project needs planning now.” I continued. “Paperwork. Permits. Community outreach. Volunteer coordination. Grant tracking. Scheduling.”

Avery’s eyes widened more with every item.

“There is plenty of work to do.”

Avery nodded eagerly, smiling, and finally looking like she could breathe again, “Thank you.”

I nodded once and tightened my arms around Violet’s waist, using her presence as a way to ground me before speaking again, “Don’t make me regret it.”

Determination flashed on her face, “You won’t, I promise.”

For both of our sakes, I hope she’s right.