Rachel took a deep breath and said, “I did not take anything unfairly, my husband and I built that company together, and after he died his family tried to erase me.”
Victor scoffed and replied, “You kept everything anyway.”
“I kept what I earned, including the debts he left behind,” she answered.
Ethan felt everything shift because he had always heard she came with power and connections, not knowing she was holding together something already broken.
Victor stepped closer and said, “The bank contacted me too, and if you do not sell soon, your employees will be gone.”
Ethan looked at Rachel, and she did not deny it.
“Do not involve my team,” she said.
“Your team,” Victor repeated mockingly, “like you actually care about them.”
Ethan suddenly felt anger rise and said, “That is enough.”
Victor smiled and continued, “Did you tell him about the merger meeting on Monday, or are you hiding that part too?”
Ethan turned to Rachel and asked, “Merger?”
She hesitated and said, “I am trying to avoid layoffs.”
Victor laughed loudly and said, “Tell him the truth, if you sign the deal, you stay, and people like him lose their jobs.”
Ethan felt his stomach drop as the words hit directly.