They let me go the day I turned fifty-five. As a farewell, I handed out roses to each of my colleagues, while leaving a folder on my bosss desk containing the results of a secret audit Id conducted on my own.
Margaret, well have to let you go, said Mr. Whitmore in that sickly-sweet tone he always used when delivering a knife disguised as kindness. He settled into his leather chair, laced his fingers over his stomach, and added, The company needs fresh air, new blood. You understand, dont you?
I studied himhis well-groomed face, the expensive tie Id helped him pick out at last years corporate dinner. Understand? Of course I understood. The shareholders had been demanding an independent audit, and he needed to remove the one person who knew the truth inside out: me.
I understand, I replied calmly. Is that fresh air Lucy, the receptionist who cant tell debit from credit but is twenty-two and laughs at all your jokes?
His expression hardened. Its not about age, Margaret. Its your methods theyre outdated. We need a leap forward.
That word had been his mantra for months. Id built that company alongside him, back when we worked in a damp office with peeling walls. Now that everything gleamed, I no longer matched the decor.
Very well, I stood slowly, though my blood ran cold. When should I clear my desk?
It wasnt the scene hed hoped for. He wanted tears, pleading, maybe a scenesomething to make him feel victorious.
Today, if you like. HR has already prepared the documents. Everythings legal, including your severance.
I turned toward the door but paused before leaving. Youre right, Edward. The company does need a leap forward. And Ill be the one to take it.
He didnt understand. He smirked, smug.
No one in the office would meet my eye. I took the cardboard box already waiting on my desk and began packing my thingsmy favourite mug, photos of my children, papers. At the bottom, I placed the bouquet of daisies my university-aged son had given me the night before.
Then I retrieved what Id prepared: twelve red rosesone for each colleague Id worked with all those yearsand a black folder tied with ribbon.
I walked the floor, handing out the flowers, murmuring quiet thanks. There were hugs and tears. It felt like saying goodbye to family.
The folder was for him. I entered his office without knocking and set it atop his papers.
Whats this? he asked.
My parting gift. Everything youve been leaping forward with these past two years: figures, invoices, dates. Im sure youll find it enlightening.
I left without looking back.
That night, close to eleven, my phone rang. It was him, his voice unsteady. Margaret Ive gone through the folder do you realise what this means?
Perfectly. These arent suspicionstheyre proof. Signatures, transfers, contracts.
If this gets out, the company will collapse
The company? Or you?
He tried to bargain, offering to reinstate me, even promote me. I only smiled. No, Edward. Theres no going back.
I hung up.
The next morning, Alfie from IT arrived. Margaret, he tried to wipe the servers clean last night. But I made mirror copies. Weve got everythingeven emails about bribes and transfers to offshore accounts.
I pressed a hand to my forehead. It was the final blow.
Then Lucy, the new energy, showed up at my door. She carried one of the wilted roses, tears in her eyes. Im so sorry, Margaret. I didnt know Today he tried to force me to sign a false report for the investors. I cant do it. Please, help me.
I hugged her and understoodeven his so-called fresh start was already cracking.
Two days later, Mr. Whitmore resigned for personal reasons. The shareholders werent fooled. A week after that, they offered me the directorship.
I walked back into the office. My roses, though wilted, still sat on every desk. My colleagues applauded. I raised a hand. Enough. Weve got work to do. The real future starts now.
That day, I understood: they let me go because I was fifty-five. But those same fifty-five years had given me the experience, patience, and strength to endure, fight, and win. Now, youth worked beside me, learning the most valuable lesson of allhow to turn defeat into victory.
