I hadn't wanted to hire them in the first place.
"They're family," I'd told myself. "Some of them are elders. If they mess up, what am I supposed to do—scold them?"
Howard had talked me into it.
"They've all had it rough. Help them out if you can. We're all family."
So I caved.
Alyssa had just graduated this year. She couldn't even put together a PowerPoint. To train her up, I'd enrolled her in a twenty-thousand-dollar office software course—out of my own pocket.
My second uncle's son worked sales at the company. His numbers were consistently rock bottom. I'd been ready to let him go, and now he wanted a raise?
And then there was Uncle Stewart Lawrence—a retired factory worker I'd brought on for logistics. He couldn't even lift the equipment. Half the time, he had to beg other departments for help.
I wasn't running a company. I was running a charity for people who thought they were doing me a favor.
I'd assumed they'd be grateful.
Instead, they'd banded together to make demands.
I set down my chopsticks. My voice came out cold.
"If you're unhappy with the company's compensation, you're welcome to find better opportunities elsewhere. I run a small business. I can't afford to keep deities on the payroll."
The table went silent. Faces shifted.
Darlene was the first to explode.
"My daughter working at your company is a privilege for you. And you have the nerve to act high and mighty?"
She turned to my mother-in-law.
"Can you believe this, Deidre? Your daughter-in-law's getting bolder by the day. Won't even give family a little face."
My mother-in-law straightened her spine, assuming her matriarch pose.
"Stella. Apologize to everyone. Now."
I let out a cold laugh and met her gaze head-on.
"Apologize for what? I'm the boss. They're employees."
"My company doesn't force anyone to stay. If they're unhappy, they can leave whenever they want."
I turned to face them directly.
"Alyssa—have I ever mistreated you?"
"Ethan Abbott—you know exactly what your sales numbers look like."
"Uncle Stewart—if you'd really rather retire, I won't stop you."
All three of them went pale.
Alyssa spoke up immediately.
"Stella, I'm really grateful. Thank you."
Ethan dropped his head.
"The raise isn't that important, actually..."
Stewart cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Everything's fine. It's all fine..."
The room fell quiet.
But my mother-in-law wasn't satisfied. She planted her hands on her hips and raised her voice.
"What is wrong with all of you?"
"I still have a say in this family."
"Stella, you will give them raises. Because I said so!"
Darlene immediately started clapping.
"Thank you so much, Deidre!"
A smattering of reluctant applause followed.
Most people just watched, waiting to see what would happen.
I stood up. Howard reached for my arm. I shook him off—hard.
"All you ever do is tell me to put up with it. Is that all you're good for?"
"You won't help me? Fine. I'll help myself."
His eyes pleaded with me.
"Stella, please. Don't make a scene..."
My mother-in-law slammed her palm on the table, refusing to back down.
"Howard! Show some spine! This family's name is Fletcher, not Maxwell!"
"She can't even give us a child. The least she can do is work like a dog for the Fletcher family."
"Stella—next year, you're handing over the CEO position to one of our people!"
"And you'd better get pregnant. IVF, herbal medicine, I don't care how. But you will give me a grandchild. Otherwise, you can pack your bags and get out!"
The room went dead silent.
Every eye turned to me.
I smiled.
Absolutely absurd.
I looked at her, my gaze ice-cold.
"No need to wait until next year. I'm leaving right now."
"Manager!"
The restaurant manager, who had been hovering nearby, stepped forward instantly.
"Pack up all the food. Every last bite."
He froze.
