The next morning, Gabriella called in sick.
Martha and Fred exchanged glances.
Fred walked into Dave's office and glared at him. "What about our discussion last night?".
"I did something that will make my father dismiss her".
"What did you do?".
"Call an urgent meeting". He jumped off his desk.
He jumped off his desk and straightened his tie.
Fred's eyes narrowed... Dave looked too excited, and excitement from Dave was usually trouble.
"Dave," Fred warned quietly. "What did you touch?"
Dave grinned. "Relax. I only removed what she shouldn't have had."
Fred frowned. "Explain."
Dave leaned closer, lowering his voice.
"You know the confidential payroll access she secretly stored on her personal laptop? The one she promised Father she never mixes with office work?"
Fred's jaw tightened.
"That file could get her in trouble."
Dave shrugged.
"Well, it's gone. Deleted. And the system logs show she exported sensitive payroll records without authorization."
Fred inhaled sharply.
"You broke into her office system?"
"She left it open," Dave said proudly, as if he had done a noble thing. "Besides, she shouldn't hide company salary data on her device. Father hates that."
Fred pressed his fingers to his forehead.
"And where are the files now?"
Dave smiled like a child who expected praise.
"Sent an anonymous system alert to HQ ....'Possible payroll data breach traced to Head of Accounting.'"
He dusted his hands dramatically. "Boom. Simple."
Fred stared at him, stunned.
"You realize this is serious. If the Chairman believes she mishandled confidential salaries..."
"He will remove her," Dave finished confidently. "And then Martha becomes next in line."
Fred's eyes flicked to the glass panel where Martha was working quietly.
He didn't like Gabriella, but this felt dangerous.
"Dave…" he said slowly. "This could turn the company upside down."
Dave chuckled.
"That's the point. Now call the meeting."
***
The room filled quickly.
Department heads whispered, confused.
Ryan and Jordan Benson entered stiffly.
Fred walked in calm but alert.
Dave sat with confidence, chin raised.
The Chairman appeared on the large screen.
He did not smile.
"Good morning," he began. "Gabriella has taken a sick leave today."
Silence.
The Chairman continued, voice controlled but final:
"After reviewing confidential audit reports sent to me late last night, the board has decided that Gabriella will no longer continue with this organization."
A ripple of shock spread across the table.
Ryan cleared his throat.
"Is it a permanent exit, sir?"
"Yes," the Chairman replied.
"She is relieved of her duties with immediate effect."
Jordan shifted uncomfortably.
"But sir, the Head of Accounting seat cannot be empty. Not now."
Dave jumped in quickly.
"Exactly. We need someone to fill it immediately."
Fred nodded.
"Sir, this department must remain stable."
Ryan leaned forward.
"Lizzy should take over. She is second in command."
Jordan agreed.
"Yes, protocol supports Lizzy."
Fred spoke calmly.
"Lizzy is good," he said, "but she doesn't have Martha's strategic eye for reconciliations and internal control. Martha already handles the hardest parts of the department quietly, and her reports never miss accuracy."
Dave added quickly, "Martha is the reason the southern region figures balanced last quarter."
Ryan frowned. "Martha Smith? The junior staff?."
"Yes," Fred replied gently, "but sometimes excellence does not wait for position. She has the skill. And she has the discipline."
The Chairman nodded slowly."Martha Smith has shown consistent excellence. She will act as Head of Accounting for now."
Ryan and Jordan exchanged stunned looks.
Dave folded his arms proudly.
Fred remained still, hiding a small relieved breath.
The Chairman concluded:
"If Martha performs well, the position will become permanent.
Ensure she receives full access and authority.
Meeting adjourned."
The screen went off.
The room fell silent.
Then slowly, everyone stood.
There was no argument...the decision was final.
Fred turned and walked out quietly, a small satisfied smile breaking through.
***
Martha shot to her feet the moment she was announced as new head of department, her pulse racing.
She hurried straight to Fred's office.
"I told you not to take matters into your own hands," she said sharply the moment she stepped in.
Fred leaned back, unbothered. "Any woman with a man like me would be thrilled. I'm helping you discover your potential."
"You shouldn't have pushed for her dismissal."
"And what if Dave had succeeded last night? Would you still be talking like this?"
Martha exhaled, shaken. "Fred, are you truly doing this for me?"
"Yes. I want to marry you, and this is the only way."
"So my qualification to be your wife is… taking Gabriella's position?"
"Greater heights, Martha. That's the only path. You're a junior staff. My mother will never accept that. I need to fast-track our wedding, and that means elevating you quickly."
"And if I lose my job after we get married?"
"You're a Christian. Why confess failure over yourself?"
Her voice lowered. "You only remember I'm a Christian when it benefits you, Fred."
He waved a hand with mild irritation. "Stop being dramatic and accept the opportunity."
Martha turned and walked out.
The first person she met at the door was Lizzy, arms folded, lips curled in satisfaction.
"So, despite all your shortcomings, your boyfriend used his influence to hand you a seat you didn't earn?" Lizzy said, voice dripping with mockery.
Martha managed a thin, defeated smile and moved past her.
She would study harder than ever.
She would prove she wasn't incompetent.
She would rise on merit, not favors.
And maybe then...maybe...she would finally be enough for Fred Thompson.
***
Fred parked in front of Martha's house.
Just as she unbuckled her seatbelt, he pulled her into a sudden embrace.
"Martha… if there's anything I fear, it's losing you to someone else."
She searched his face.
Her eyes softened, a thin layer of tears forming. "I don't want to lose you either, Fred."
She stepped out of the car and waved until his taillights disappeared down the street.
Fred drove home quietly, his thoughts heavy.
Inside, his parents were seated with event planners, finalizing arrangements for his mother's upcoming 60th birthday.
He muttered a greeting to them all.
Without looking up, Mrs. Thompson spoke. "Your girlfriend… I would like to meet her on my birthday."
Fred paused mid-step and turned. "Why now?"
"You turned thirty in April. It is time I meet my future daughter-in-law."
He exhaled deeply. "Fine."
"But understand this," she continued calmly. "If she is not what I expect, I will set a wedding date between you and Miranda immediately."
Fred's eyes hardened. "The moment you try that, I will walk out of this house. And this time, I mean it."
He headed upstairs without waiting for a reply.
Mr. Thompson chuckled lightly. "So you want to replace a girl he has loved for ten years?"
"If she does not meet my standards, why shouldn't I?" Mrs. Thompson replied coolly.