“Two, promise me that you’ll give this company your undivided attention until you get to where you want to be. No petty side quests, frivolous lawsuits, or vindictive drama.”
“You have my word on that. Three?”
“You immediately—and I do mean ‘do not leave this spot until it’s done’immediately—redraft the introductory memo to your new staff.”
“Why would I bother doing that?”
“Because it’s the worst first-impression CEO note I’ve ever read.”
“Worst you’ve read in your entire life, or are you ranking it as my personal worst?”
“It’s both.” He shook his head. “Redraft it and let me read it first.”
“You should’ve launched your demand list with that one first.” I looked at my watch. “It went out three minutes ago.”
SIX
ANDREA
Memo: Hello from Harrison Cross.
If you’re opening this email, you are witnessing your company being taken over by a man who actually knows how to run abusiness.
You’re welcome.
As of tomorrow, all corporate employees are expected to arrive at headquarters at five a.m.
If you enter at 5:01 or later, do not bother clocking in.
Please turn around and go home.
You are fired.
This start time will remain in place until my Cross-style policies go into effect. This takeover will be completed in less than sixty days.
You’re welcome, again.
And before you ask,yes.
You are allowed to thank me for improving your work ethic whenever I see you in person.
Harrison Cross
CEO, Sweet Seasons Coffee
Founder & Owner, Cross Industries
SEVEN
ANDREA
Day #1 of the Company Takeover
The subway rattled on the train tracks, dragging me closer to a new era I wasn’t ready to start.
A five a.m. start time was unheard of at Sweet Seasons; our cafes didn’t even open that early.
Hell, I couldn’t remember the last time I woke up before six-thirty.
