Businesswoman Chapter 254

Passion projects became part of Entrepreneur Paul’s growing influence. He greeted Neve Cash. She stood almost as tall as Atkinson and wore a sharp burgundy suit.

“We’re on the rough side of the mountain,” Neve sighed. In all her forty-four years she had never experienced anything like this.

“I think you’re going to be leveling that mountain,” Entrepreneur Paul mentioned. His voice seemed stern and light altogether. It was like considering putting together a car engine. It appeared to be like a heavy task, but he knew where to put all the parts.

“These new technologies are killing us,” she admitted.

“No they’re not, they’re making your job easier and allowing you to produce even more,” he countered.

She looked at him incredulously. “I just cut eleven percent of my journalists. They were looking at the computer screens from home showing their severance,” she lamented.

“That’s okay. I’m sure that ninety-nine percent of them will move onto their own newsrooms or create a site all their own,” Atkinson relayed.

Neve exhaled sharply. Her nails dug into her glass desk. “I know you’re remarkably positive about all this. I just feel guilty.”

“Don’t.”

“Don’t? They have families, mortgages, and lives….” she argued.

“They knew this was coming. The poorest newsperson you let go will find a way to get at a dollar. Trust me.”

“I’m trying. There’s going to be a reckoning.”

“That reckoning is already here. Look around this place,” His arms performed a sweeping motion. “All you have are hardware and algorithms that don’t need breaks and don’t ask for health insurance and pensions. The human mind has fluttered like a blue jay and flown to a higher plane. You’re there.”

Neve wiped away a tear. Entrepreneur Paul offered his pocket square.

“Don’t cry over it. Overcome,” he reassured.