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.

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!"

The next day, I had all the paperwork ready to dissolve the company.

To make sure it went smoothly, I even hired a professional to handle the process for me.

Given the company's short lifespan, minimal operations, and no outstanding debts, the professional had it wrapped up in no time.

I moved with my team of four to the new office overnight. Sitting in our new space, I finally felt a sense of relief.

[Ms. Garcia, I need to continue my rest at home. Could you please approve six months of paid leave for me so I don't have to keep coming into the office? After all, being pregnant is quite a strain!]

[Me too.]

My phone buzzed. I clicked to find out, only to remember that I had forgotten to dissolve the old company's group chat.

Morgan was brazenly asking for leave in the group and had the audacity to request a six-month paid sabbatical.

Phoebe chimed in with an unashamed "Me too".

Before I could retort, Howard and the others had reached their limit.

[Six months of paid leave?]

[How dare you have the audacity! The walls of my grandmother's courtyard are thinner than your hide!]

[Being pregnant is quite a strain? How so? Did the company get you pregnant?]

[If it's such a burden, maybe you shouldn't have the baby. Consider an abortion. After all, it would be a misfortune for the child to have a mother like you.]

...

They took turns throwing jabs at Morgan and Phoebe, reveling in the ridicule.

But Morgan and Phoebe were not amused. They were fuming and lashed out in the group.

Phoebe: [You heartless people, how dare you curse me!]

Morgan: [Victoria! Stop them! If you don't rein them in, don't blame me for what I might do!]

I leisurely posted a rolling-eyes emoji in the group: [And what exactly do you plan to do?]

Phoebe: [You've finally shown up. Approve our leave now, or we'll teach you a lesson!]

I continued with an "I'm so scared" meme.

[I can't approve your leave anymore. The company's closed and your final paychecks have been deposited into your bank accounts. You can rest for your babies at home from now on.]

They were utterly furious.

After all, it wasn't easy for them to find a pushover like me, and other companies wouldn't put up with their threats.

[What nonsense are you spouting!]

[What do you mean by the company shutdown? You expect us to believe that?]

[If you dare play tricks, we won't let you off the hook!]

They were true to their word.

I didn't expect that even after my company had shut down, they would still cause such a fuss, making a huge scene.