As the meeting drew to a close, five grueling hours had elapsed, and half the team had been dismissed.

"Meeting adjourned," the CEO declared, prompted by an urgent call from his grandfather.

Those remaining among the officials hastily gathered their belongings and scurried away on unsteady legs, well aware that if they lingered a moment longer, the CEO might very well have fired the rest of them.

After the officials had left, Shawn relaxed his hardened face a bit and picked the call. "Grandpa,"

"Shawn, I'm sorry. I won't be able to make it back tomorrow. The doctor says I need to spend a few more days here," Bitterness laced...