CHAPTER THREE: THE TEST
211 Words
Fine,” Adrian said.
He slid a file across the desk.
“This is a failing project. Deadlines missed. Budget exceeded. Clients unhappy.”
Hailey opened it quickly.
“Fix it,” he said.
Her eyes widened.
“Now?”
“Yes.”
Let’s see how long she lasts under pressure.
Hailey took a deep breath.
This was insane.
But she had an advantage.
As she scanned the file, she listened.
She’s overwhelmed.
She won’t find the core issue.
No one ever does.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Core issue…
She flipped through the pages faster.
Looking.
Thinking.
Listening.
Then—
The communication breakdown between departments… that’s where everything started.
Hailey froze.
Got it.
She looked up.
“The problem isn’t the budget or the timeline,” she said.
Adrian didn’t react.
But—
Go on…
“It’s communication,” she continued. “The departments aren’t aligned. They’re working separately instead of together. That’s why everything is falling apart.”
Silence.
Then—
…She found it.
Adrian leaned forward slowly.
“And your solution?”
Hailey didn’t hesitate.
“Restructure communication. Weekly cross-department meetings. Clear task ownership. And a single point of accountability.”
She slid the file back.
“Fix that—and everything else will follow.”
TO BE CONTINUED.....
- Writer
