Chapter 2

Sloane's POV

The low hum of keyboards and quiet chatter across the floor cuts out instantly.

A few seconds later, Greg and Madison walk into the conference room, both wearing the kind of smile you put on when you want something. Greg rubs his hands together, all slick and eager. Madison makes a point of holding the honey gift basket I just gave her, cradling it like it's something she actually cares about. "Ms. Bennett, I was literally just about to text you. I posted this on Instagram and everyone is obsessed. They're all saying how lucky I am to have a boss like you!"

Just looking at her makes my stomach turn.

The same person who was calling me a corporate vampire and wishing me dead twenty minutes ago is now standing here telling me how lucky she is. Honestly, the talent is wasted in this office.

"Nothing major," I say, walking over to the water cooler and filling a cup. "I just forgot to mention it in the meeting. I need a revised project timeline from you two for next month. Have it on my desk by end of day."

Greg immediately puffs up. "Done. Whatever it takes, Ms. Bennett. We'll stay as late as we need to. Team's got you covered."

"Absolutely," Madison chimes in. "We're the hardest working team in this whole building, no question."

"Great. Get to it."

I watch them head back out, then linger in the conference room for another two minutes before slipping out quietly and settling into a spot around the corner of the hallway.

Through the glass partition, I watch the performance end in real time.

Greg drops his notebook on the desk like it personally offended him and rolls his eyes so hard I'm surprised he doesn't pull something. Madison takes the gift basket she just raved about online and shoves it into the trash can under her desk without a second look. Then, almost in unison, everyone reaches for their phones, thumbs flying.

I don't need to see the screen to know exactly what's happening in that group chat right now.

Watching them get that little kick out of talking trash behind my back, I just feel tired. Trying to win over people like this is like trying to warm up a snake by holding it. Pointless. And kind of stupid.

I walk out onto the floor.

The second they hear my footsteps, every phone flips face-down. Suddenly everyone is very interested in their monitors.

"Hey, everyone. Take a second."

Heads come up, a mix of nerves and curiosity.

I look around the room and let a small smile settle on my face. "I had a chance to talk with some of the other managers earlier, and it really got me thinking about my approach to running this team."

"Honestly, I think I've been pushing too hard. Always asking people to stay late, constantly chasing deadlines. That's not a healthy way to work."

"You see it everywhere online now, right? Quiet quitting. Act your wage. I think it's time we take a page from how other teams operate around here."

At the words other teams, Madison's eyes flicker. I can tell exactly who she's thinking about.

"So starting today, I'm making a change." My voice lifts just enough. "No more overtime. Doors lock at six, everyone goes home. Full weekends off. Nobody works from home, nobody answers emails after hours. That's it."

The room goes dead quiet for a moment, and then it doesn't.

Madison barely holds it together. For someone who spends most of her day doing as little as possible, no overtime is basically a dream come true.

But Greg and Donna go pale.

Greg is halfway out of his chair. "Ms. Bennett, wait. Our deadlines are way too tight for this. If nobody's staying late, how are we supposed to get everything done? And the pay cut that comes with losing overtime—"

"What about it?" I cut him off. "Your base salary doesn't change. If you can't finish your work in eight hours, that's a you problem, not an overtime problem."

Donna jumps in, voice tight. "But the overtime pay—"

"No overtime means no overtime pay." I keep my tone light. "More rest, better focus. Simple math. And just to be clear: it doesn't matter where you are on your work. Six o'clock, you're out. No exceptions. Not one minute over."

Nobody says a word.

Madison wants to smile but reads the room fast enough to stop herself.

I look at all of them standing there with nothing to say, and feel a quiet, deep satisfaction settle over me.

"Oh, and I heard the other team got gift cards and things like that. Keep up the good work and I'll think about doing something similar at the end of the year."

I don't wait for a reaction. I turn and head back to my office.

"Six o'clock. Every single day. Not a second longer."