Terrible Betrayal: I Shut Down My Startup Overnight

After dispatching those two troublemakers, I reached out to a lawyer. Unfortunately, the law wasn't on my side.

I hadn't insisted on a health check for them, and as long as they maintained they were unaware of their pregnancies at the time of hiring, there was nothing I could do.

I was stuck with allowing them paid leave and had to approve their maternity leave, which would last until well after their nursing periods ended, before I could think of letting them go.

No way!

I couldn't just swallow my pride and keep paying them for over a year after being manipulated like this.

I was fuming, feeling the pressure mount, fearing I might give myself a heart attack over this.

When I got home and recounted the ordeal to my mom, she exploded with anger.

"Unbelievable! I considered Isabel as my closest friend, and she's playing me for a fool!

"My daughter, just wait, I need to confront her and get to the bottom of this!"

My mom stormed out with her purse, and I couldn't stop her. Panicking, I followed behind, worried sick that she might get too worked up.

Upon seeing Isabel, my mom started pointing her nose and cursing her out.

"Isabel, we've been friends for over thirty years! How could you betray me like this?

I vouched for your daughters' character to Victoria. Because I trusted you, my daughter skipped the interviews and medical checks, but what do we get?

"Your girls barely lasted a month at the company before claiming pregnancy and wanting to take leave. Have you no shame? What do you take us for?"

Isabel snorted coldly, her usual warmth towards my mom gone, replaced with a sneering retort.

"Oh, I dare not be best friends with you. Who are you, after all? Ms. Garcia's mother! Such a high-ranking official.

"We mere commoners can't hope to associate with your likes. My daughters got into your company on their own merit. You skipped the interviews and medicals; is that my fault?

"Did I force you to agree? Or were you just showing off your daughter's capabilities? If that's the case, why not help me take care of my girls?

"Is there a law that says you can't get pregnant at work? If you're not happy, sue us!

"Even if I did plan this, so what? I'm openly taking advantage of you, and I'll make sure you take the hit without a fuss!"

Isabel, hands on her hips, was screaming at my mom, her eyebrows nearly reaching the sky in her fury.

"Fine, just fine! I was naive, mistaking a backstabber like you for a confidante! From this day forth, I want no such friend!"

My mom's chest was heaving, and then she just fainted.

"Mom! Mom, don't scare me!"

I frantically called for an ambulance.

Seeing my mom faint, Isabel said, "If you die of anger, it's not my problem." Then, she stormed out, slamming the door.