Gemotions

The all-hands meeting was a disaster. The CEO, his face plastered with a forced smile, announced the acquisition with the practiced charm of a used car salesman. He kept using phrases like "synergy" and "growth opportunity." The words grated on her ears.

She fidgeted, tapping her pen against the table, a rapid staccato against the canned enthusiasm. Her palms were sweating. She felt a burning sensation in her chest. She wanted to scream.

When they opened the floor for questions, she was the first to speak. Her voice, usually calm and measured, was sharp. "What about the people? What about the promises we were made?" The CEO's smile faltered, just for a moment, before reasserting itself.