Chapter 37 - Ethan’s Promotion
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As the company continued to expand its ethical footprint globally, Charlotte realized she could no longer manage the immense, day-to-day operational burdens entirely on her own. She needed a partner at the very top—someone who possessed not only brilliant legal acumen but also the exact same unbreakable moral compass.
She invited Ethan to her office late on a Wednesday evening, after the rest of the executive floor had cleared out.
"I poured us a drink," Charlotte said, handing him a crystal glass of expensive scotch as he walked in.
"Are we celebrating something, or am I about to be fired?" Ethan joked, taking the glass and sitting on the leather sofa.
"Neither," Charlotte smiled, sitting across from him. "I’m restructuring the executive suite. Bennett Global has grown too large, and our new initiatives require more dedicated, top-level leadership. I am stepping back to focus entirely on my role as Chairwoman of the Board and the director of our philanthropic trusts."
Ethan frowned, suddenly serious. "You aren't stepping down, are you?"
"No," Charlotte reassured him. "But I am vacating the operational presidency. And I want you to take it."
Ethan froze, the glass of scotch stopping halfway to his mouth. "Me? Charlotte, I’m your general counsel. I’m a lawyer, not an operational executive."
"You are the most fiercely competent, loyal, and ethical person in this entire building," Charlotte stated, her voice filled with absolute certainty. "You stood by me when I was just a terrified wife trying to audit a corrupt empire. You helped me dismantle Adrian’s fraud. You built the compliance structures that saved this company. There is no one on earth I trust more to run Bennett Global."
Ethan stared at her, completely overwhelmed by the magnitude of the offer.
"President of Bennett Global," Ethan whispered, shaking his head in disbelief. "Charlotte, that is an immense responsibility."
"I know it is," she said softly. "But you’ve already been carrying half the weight of this company for two years. It’s time your title finally reflected your actual value."
Ethan looked down at his glass, then back up at Charlotte. A slow, deeply proud smile spread across his face.
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"I won't let you down, Madam Chair," Ethan promised, raising his glass.
"I know you won't, Mr. President," Charlotte smiled, clinking her glass against his.
