Boss called me to his office with human resources. «Mark, after 17 years, we’re eliminating your position…

Everything after that was just me doing what I’ve always done, identifying system vulnerabilities and implementing appropriate security measures. At 11.47, they called. They’d accepted every condition.

Six months later, I sat in my new corner office, reviewing security protocols for the upcoming quarter. The view overlooked the Columbus skyline, a daily reminder of how much had changed. Brian Wilcox had pled guilty to multiple fraud charges.

In exchange for cooperation, he’d receive a reduced sentence. Still significant. Daniel was fighting the charges, insisting he was unaware of the scheme despite the evidence.

Jason Phillips had fled to Brazil but was being extradited. The money had been recovered. Most of it, anyway.

Enough that the company avoided serious financial damage. My former team now reported to me, though I’d promoted Stephen to run day-to-day operations. The kid had potential.

Just needed someone to see it. A knock at my door drew my attention. Andrea stood there, smiling.

Ready for lunch? She asked. I nodded, grabbing my jacket. As we walked through the IT department, conversations quieted briefly.

Not from fear, but respect. These people knew what had happened. Knew I could have destroyed the company instead of saving it.

In the elevator, Andrea squeezed my hand. Happy? I considered the question. The anger that had driven me those first few days after being fired had faded.

What remained wasn’t exactly happiness. More like satisfaction. Completion.

I’m good, I said. Outside, the October sun warmed our faces as we walked to a nearby restaurant. My phone buzzed with a message from Robert Chen.

Board approved your security budget increase. Unanimous vote. I smiled slightly.

No arguments, no questions. Just trust. Andrea noticed my expression.

What is it? Nothing, I said, sliding the phone back into my pocket. Just thinking about bridges. Some collapse under their own weight.

Others, once repaired, become stronger than they ever were before. I’d built this one right this time.