“Michael, listen to me,” Carla said.

“The executive board is sitting right here.

We gave you this chance to prove you could focus after last month’s mistakes.”

She dropped her voice so the executives couldn’t hear.

Her red pen hovered over the clipboard.

“I know you’ve got family complications,” Carla said.

“But this is the annual audit.

If you walk out that door right now, I can’t protect your job.”