The Choice: A Modern Retelling of Joseph’s Story

Michael had once been the rising star of Westbridge Consulting. Hardworking, innovative, and always the first one in and last one out. But that changed five years ago when Daniel, his closest colleague—and, he thought, friend—stabbed him in the back.

It had been a high-stakes project, one that could secure a massive client and propel careers forward. Michael had done the research, built the strategy, and crafted the perfect pitch. But the night before the big presentation, his files mysteriously vanished from the shared drive. The next morning, Daniel presented Michael’s work as his own.

Michael had no proof of the sabotage, and when he tried to explain, it sounded like petty jealousy. Daniel got the promotion, and Michael was sidelined and then pushed out entirely.

The last thing he saw as he left Westbridge Consulting was Daniel shaking hands with the CEO, standing in the position Michael had earned.

Michael had spent months in freefall.

No one wanted to hire someone who had been quietly pushed out of a company. The industry was small, and though no one outright accused him of anything, doors mysteriously closed when he knocked.

He swallowed his pride and took short-term contracts—low-level consulting gigs, working under people far less experienced than him. Sometimes, he recognised old colleagues in meetings. They’d glance at him, surprised, before quickly looking away.

For a while, bitterness was his only companion.

But he refused to stay down. He used every opportunity to prove himself again, one small project at a time. He worked harder than he ever had, taking on roles others turned down. Slowly, people started to notice.

After two years, he landed a permanent role at Hartman & Co.. Three years later, he was leading projects. Now, five years after his downfall, he sat in the final decision-making seat for new hires.

He thought he’d moved past the betrayal.

Until Daniel’s resume landed on his desk.

At first, Michael thought it was a joke. A cruel irony. But there it was—Daniel Hastings, applying for a senior consultant role at Hartman & Co. Apparently, things at Westbridge hadn’t gone as planned.

Michael scanned the cover letter, looking for a hint of regret, a sign of recognition. Nothing. It was as if Daniel had forgotten him completely.

Michael had a choice. Reject the application outright? Call security and tell them to throw the snake out? No. If Daniel had no memory of him, Michael wanted to watch the moment he realised.

So, he scheduled the interview.

On the day of the interview, Michael sat at the head of the long glass conference table, waiting. The clock ticked, and cold rain pounded against the office windows.

The door opened. Daniel walked in.

He was older and sharper—dressed, but something was missing—confidence and arrogance. He was desperate, and Michael could tell by the way he hesitated before speaking and tried too hard to sell himself.

And then, halfway through the interview, Daniel’s smile faltered. His eyes locked onto Michael’s nameplate.

“Michael Foster,” he said, his voice just a little too tight.

Michael smiled, slow and deliberate. “That’s right. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

A flicker of recognition. Then something else—panic.

Michael had all the power now. He could see it in the way Daniel’s hands clenched under the table.

He asked the tough questions. Pressed him, made him sweat.

“So, Daniel,” Michael finally said, leaning back, “tell me about a time you handled an ethical dilemma at work. Maybe a situation where someone else’s hard work was at stake?”

Daniel’s face paled. He hesitated. Then, with forced composure, he began spinning some half-hearted answer about collaboration and integrity.

Michael let him talk. Let him dig the hole deeper.

Then, silence.

Daniel shifted in his seat. “Look, Michael, I—”

“Save it.” Michael stood, pacing toward the window. “You don’t need to explain. I know what you did. And now you’re here, needing something from me.” He turned back, crossing his arms. “Tell me, Daniel, why should I give it to you?”

For the first time in the entire conversation, Daniel had no answer.

Michael could say no. With a single word, he could send Daniel back out into the storm, jobless, desperate. It would be justice, wouldn’t it? Wouldn’t it?

But somewhere deep down, he heard another voice. A voice older than his own bitterness.

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil… Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you.”

He took a deep breath.

“You’re not getting the senior consultant position,” Michael said. Daniel’s face fell, but Michael wasn’t done. “There’s a junior role open. Less pay. Hard work. No shortcuts. If you want it, it’s yours.”

Daniel stared at him, stunned. “Why would you—”

“Because I know what it’s like to start over,” Michael said simply. “And because I refuse to become the person you once were.”

Daniel took the job—not out of generosity but because he had no choice. At first, he kept his distance from Michael, ashamed and unsure. But over time, something shifted. He worked hard and owned his mistakes, and the tension between them softened.

One evening, long after the office had emptied, Daniel knocked on Michael’s door.

“I should’ve apologised a long time ago,” he admitted. “I was selfish. And I don’t deserve this second chance.”

Michael looked at him for a long moment before speaking. “Then don’t waste it.”

Forgiveness didn’t erase the past. But it rewrote the future.

And that was enough.

The Choice: A Modern Retelling of Joseph’s Story
(shorter version)

Michael had once been the rising star of Westbridge Consulting. Hardworking, innovative, and always the first one in and last one out. But that changed five years ago when Daniel, his closest colleague—and, he thought, friend—stabbed him in the back.

It had been a high-stakes project, one that could secure a massive client and propel careers forward. Michael had done the research, built the strategy, and crafted the perfect pitch. But the night before the big presentation, his files mysteriously vanished from the shared drive. The next morning, Daniel presented Michael’s work as his own.

Michael had no proof of the sabotage, and when he tried to explain, it sounded like petty jealousy. Daniel got the promotion, and Michael was sidelined and then pushed out entirely.

The last thing he saw as he left Westbridge Consulting was Daniel shaking hands with the CEO, standing in the position Michael had earned.

Michael had spent months in freefall.

No one wanted to hire someone who had been quietly pushed out of a company. The industry was small, and though no one outright accused him of anything, doors mysteriously closed when he knocked.

He swallowed his pride and took short-term contracts—low-level consulting gigs, working under people far less experienced than him. Sometimes, he recognised old colleagues in meetings. They’d glance at him, surprised, before quickly looking away.

For a while, bitterness was his only companion.

But he refused to stay down. He used every opportunity to prove himself again, one small project at a time. He worked harder than he ever had, taking on roles others turned down. Slowly, people started to notice.

Continue reading the full story here.