Chapter 4

The recording was a mess of noise. I could picture just how lively the floor had gotten after I left.

"Easy for you to say. What if she actually goes through with it? Are you going to cover our losses?"

"Right, are you paying for it?"

"Muriel, we're doing this to help you. I don't care about anyone else, but my year-end bonus is probably around twenty thousand. If Ms. Coleman doesn't pay me, you're paying me instead."

"Mine too."

"And mine."

"…"

"Come on, you people…" Muriel's voice went shrill with frustration. "Where's your backbone? One sentence out of her and you're all scared stiff."

"Hmph. Then what do you suggest?"

"Yeah, tell us what to do."

"Simple. Tomorrow when she comes in to work, we wait for her right at the front door and quit on her one by one. I bet she won't dare sign off on it."

"But what if—"

"There's no what if. Not unless she's ready to lose this whole company."

The recording ended. Carter looked at me.

"Ms. Coleman, I hope you won't give in. If you cave once, there'll be a second time. They won't be grateful. They'll just decide you're soft and easy to push around."

I smiled and asked, "You think I'd give in?"

Carter said nothing.

I knew what he was thinking.

It was true. I'd poured ten years of my life into this company, and I wouldn't let anything harm it. Never mind every employee but Carter walking out. Even half of them leaving would hit the company hard.

But Muriel, and the rest of them, they weren't the pillars holding this place up anymore. They were pests eating away at it from the inside.

Keep them, and the company would rot from within, bit by bit.

Cut them out, and yes, the company would take a hit. But only for a while.

A moment of pain always beat pain that dragged on forever.

The next day, I'd barely stepped out of the car when I saw Muriel waiting outside the front door with a whole crowd behind her.

Before I even reached them, they started up, one after another.

"Ms. Coleman, I'm resigning."

"Ms. Coleman, I'm really sorry. Something's come up at home. I've already printed my resignation letter. Please sign it."

"Ms. Coleman, I'm grateful you gave me the chance to work here, but I've realized this company just isn't right for me."

"…"

Muriel watched me with a smile, her eyes full of satisfaction.

"Ms. Coleman, I already tried to talk them out of it, but they wouldn't listen."

I smiled too, and asked her, "You're not resigning?"

Her expression flickered, and when she saw everyone turn to look at her, she rushed to say, "Of course I'm resigning too. But I don't think it has to come to this. Every problem has a solution. Isn't that right, Ms. Coleman?"

Before I could answer, she went on, "Ms. Coleman, if we all leave, the company won't be able to keep running. Can you really bear to watch this company you've given ten years of your life to end up like that?"

I nodded. "No, I can't."

Her face had just brightened when my next words came out. "But since it's what you're all asking for, I have no choice but to agree."

Muriel froze where she stood. It took her a long moment before she managed, "Ms.… Ms. Coleman, what do you mean?"

"Nothing much. Just granting your wish."

I walked into the company as I spoke.

"Follow me. Come into my office one at a time, and I'll sign each of your resignation letters, one by one."