Terrible Betrayal: I Shut Down My Startup Overnight

Thankfully, my mom was alright, just overcome with anger. Otherwise, I would have risked my life to settle the score! After a few hours of observation at the hospital, she was discharged.

"I'm so sorry, Victoria. Your startup journey is hard enough, and here I've gone and brought you two disasters!"

As she spoke, tears streamed down her face.

I knew she was crying not only out of guilt and concern for me but also from the pain of being betrayed by Isabel, her anger trapped, turning into tears.

Seeing my mom's tears, I felt my heart aching even more.

"Don't worry, Mom. I'll find a way to deal with them. Please don't be upset."

But even as I said that, I wasn't sure what to do.

I returned to the company with a furrowed brow, and my four employees gathered around when they saw me.

They had all been with me from the start of my venture. Over the past six months, we had become as close as family. Though my company was small, I made sure the benefits I offered were generous. Even if it meant I earned less, I never treated these four partners poorly.

"Victoria, are you alright?"

I shook my head in response.

Our sales manager, Howard, was seething. "Don't you worry, those two snakes will get what's coming to them!"

But our product manager, Serena, had a hint of concern in her voice.

"Our company's just getting started, and Victoria's still paying off the loans we took to get this venture off the ground. With these two parasites sucking us dry, are they trying to drive us into bankruptcy?"

Upon hearing this, a light bulb went off in my head!

Why didn't I think of this before?

With the company existing, I couldn't legally fire them, but what if the company would not exist anymore?

If the company was gone, no one would give them leave.

I hugged Serena and planted a big kiss on her cheek. "Serena, you're a godsend!"

That very day, I registered a new company under my mom's name and instructed everyone to quickly reach out to our clients and tie up loose ends with our current work.

"Attention," I announced, "due to poor management, I'm unable to keep this company afloat any longer, so I'm declaring it out of business.

"But, on a brighter note, my kind-hearted mother has started a new company and has offered me the position of general manager.

"All of you are exceptional talents, and I'd like to invite you to join us. Your roles and responsibilities will remain the same, and I'm bumping up your salaries by two hundred dollars a month. What do you say? Are you in?"

They exchanged glances, then burst into laughter.

"Victoria, you always have a trick up your sleeve!"