Winters Corporation was paralyzed because of that trouble-magnet, Stella Lane — and my husband, Eric Shaw, not only stopped me from firing her, he insisted I compensate her for “emotional distress.”
“She has a diagnosed psychological condition. She’s divorced, raising a child alone. You can’t just keep pushing her like this.”
“If you ask me, give her three hundred thousand dollars and send her on a long paid leave. That would show your leadership and compassion, Vivian.”
I stared at Eric, utterly incredulous.
If Stella hadn’t served a VIP client water in a baby bottle, Winters Corporation wouldn’t be under attack from Dawson Group right now.
Watching her cower behind my husband like a helpless victim, I let out a sharp, humorless laugh.
“Anyone would think she is your wife.”
I stepped forward, voice like ice.
“Since you enjoy protecting her so much — you two can get the hell out of my company. Together.”
…
I added with a colder smile:
“And on your way out, sign the divorce papers in the cabinet. Winters Corp doesn’t need idiots.”
My words had barely landed when Eric shot up, furious.
“How can you be so heartless? I’m just supporting an employee — and you want a divorce? When the company is in crisis, instead of focusing on solutions, you start a witch hunt? Vivian, is this what a CEO looks like?”
His sanctimonious tone only made him look pathetic.
“Eric Shaw, don’t forget: everything you have today was given by me.”
My eyes narrowed.
“You’re protecting Stella this fiercely… is there something you two don’t want me to know?”
I was raised as the Winters family successor from childhood. Eric married into the Winters family — an arrangement my father made to support me in corporate governance.
I had explicitly forbidden hiring Stella.
She was a walking disaster.
People worked overtime writing proposals → she “accidentally” unplugged the power
People requested plans from her → “My baby’s belly is rumbling, need to feed him”
She snuck sick cats and dogs into the on-site catering fridge → half the staff were hospitalized
Someone like her should never have stepped foot inside Winters Corp.
But while I was on an overseas business trip last month, Eric bypassed HR and shoved her into the Account Management Department.
And then she used a baby bottle to serve our most important client.
Business imploded.
Yet Eric still wanted to compensate her.
He was out of his damn mind.
“How can you talk like that?”
Eric’s face reddened, but the volume of his voice dropped.
“We’re married. This company is our shared achievement…”
“Shared?”
I cut him off with a laugh.
“Don’t flatter yourself. Without the Winters name, you’d still be rotting in some corner.”
Before he could respond, Stella suddenly burst into sobs.
“It’s all my fault! I shouldn’t have caused trouble or put Mr. Shaw in a difficult position! Ms. Winters, Mr. Shaw is just… too kind. We are innocent. Please don’t… fight because of me…”
Then, she shoved Eric away — and sprinted toward the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Hands gripping the edge, eyes reddened with tears, she looked back at us.
“If my death can fix this, save the company, and help you reconcile… then I’ll jump!”
“Stella!”
Eric panicked and rushed to drag her down, glaring at me.
“Vivian, she only used a baby bottle! It wasn’t even dirty! She’s a single mother — why can’t you empathize?”
Then came the dagger.
“Is it because you can’t have children, so you resent anyone who does? Vivian, when did you become so cruel?”
