> Did the COO want to get what was on his mind so the company would lose nothing by firing him? Or was he utterly disappointed about said mind? In abusive envi

> Did the COO want to get what was on his mind so the company would lose nothing by firing him? Or was he utterly disappointed about said mind? In abusive environments, there is no logic, both things can be "true" at the same time. The COO wants to hurt him by firing him, but on some level also realizes that his contribution is valuable. Just because they want to get rid of him, that is no reason not to use him for one last time. (Usually this works the other way round: people are told that they are worthless, but also that it would be highly irresponsible and unethical of them to leave. Somehow, both things can be "true" at the same time.)