This is exactly what I thought when reading his description of the story. - Someone acting maliciously would have to account for the possibility of the CEO sim

This is exactly what I thought when reading his description of the story. - Someone acting maliciously would have to account for the possibility of the CEO simply picking up the phone and dialing the OP to check in. - OP specifically mentions the CEO "told/showed me a resignation email". The OP specifically mentioning it was told as well as shown felt like a message from his subconscious mind that the CEO is guilty and had rehearsed how to prove his innocence. - The CEO gave a definitive statement that another person was already in his position, rather than treat it as a serious issue of fraud and a hostile work environment. - The OP professing "I don’t care that much about the job" makes me imagine a scenario where the CEO gets to let an unmotivated employee go (or at least one who could be replaced within ~2 months) and keep 6 months of paid leave.