They Said Firing Her Would Bankrupt Us So I Did It Twice

I came back to the States after six months in a leadership program in London to find a mascot had taken over my family's company.

She didn't do a damn thing. Just lounged in her workstation, scrolling through TikToks and playing games on her phone, yet she was pulling in a salary of a hundred thousand dollars a month.

I was about to lay into her when my fathers assistant, Linda, pulled me aside, her voice a hushed, nervous whisper.

"Ms. Ross, you don't understand. This girl, Kiki she's got a gift. On days she laughs out loud, our stock price jumps a full point."

"When were negotiating with a client," she continued, her eyes wide, "if she's the one who prints the contract, the deal always closes."

"She's the company's good luck charm, a walking fortune. Your father adores her. Please, don't make an enemy of her."

I don't believe in fairy tales. I revoked her privileges, put her on the same performance plan as every other junior employee, and slashed her salary to match her title.

The next day, the company went bankrupt.

The shock sent my father to the hospital with a massive heart attack. My mother, hysterical, dragged me into the car to go beg Kiki to come back. We never made it. A truck blew through a red light. There was nothing left to bury.

When I opened my eyes again, the first thing I did was fire her.

Because that monster could not be allowed to win.

1

The office, a space that should have been humming with focused work, was polluted by the tinny sound effects of viral videos and the overpowering stench of microwaved fish and stale popcorn.

Kiki was practically horizontal in her custom ergonomic recliner, kicking her feet in the air and roaring with laughter, completely oblivious to the world around her. The few employees trying to hold a meeting nearby were whispering, terrified of disturbing her.

My face was a mask of cold fury as I walked up to her, just like last time.

Is this your idea of a professional attitude?

Kiki barely glanced at me, just rolled her eyes before her attention snapped back to the screen. Her posture screamed one thing:

And who the hell are you?

Ms. Ross! Over here, quickly!

My fathers assistant, Linda, scurried over, her expression just as panicked as it was in my memory. She pulled me aside, feeding me the exact same lines as before.

She finished with a new, frantic addition. Mr. Ross is in an emergency meeting and can't be reached today. If you fire Kiki, hes going to be furious when he gets back!

For a split second, the dj vu hit me like a physical blow.

But I shook it off, gave Linda a look I hoped was reassuring, and strode right back to Kiki.

I didnt waste any time.

Kiki, youre fired.

The air in the office froze. Every head snapped in our direction.

Pfft! You? Fire me? Who do you think you are? Kiki tossed the half-eaten bag of Takis she was holding onto the floor, the spicy dust puffing into the already suffocating air. Let me give you a little friendly advice. The last person who raised their voice to me in this office is still trying to get a callback for an entry-level job.

She waved a dismissive hand. Security? Get this woman out of my sight.

To her astonishment, no one moved.

Linda rushed forward, forcing a sycophantic smile at Kiki. Kiki, please. This is Audrey Ross, the owners daughter. Shes been in London for the past six months, so she doesnt know Please, dont be upset.

Oh. Well then tell her to get the hell out of my light. Im trying to watch my stories. She hit play and sank back into her own little world.

A bitter laugh escaped my lips.

I never believed in any of that "good luck charm" bullshit.

But in my last life, it didn't matter what I believed. I fired her, the company collapsed, and my father's heart gave out.

It was only in the moment of my own death that I finally understood the truth.

This woman wasn't a blessing. She was a curse. And she had to be cut out.

My resolve hardened.

I stepped forward, snatched the tablet from her hands, and slammed it onto her desk.

This is your official notification. You, Kiki, are terminated for gross negligence of your duties during work hours.

Kiki didn't even flinch. She just gave me another long, contemptuous eye-roll.

But the other employees started to panic, their voices pleading and urgent.

Ms. Ross, please, dont do this! The companys performance is because of Kiki! Shes more important than you know!

Its true! Keeping Kiki happy is our top priority. Shes the reason were all still employed!

You just got back, you dont understand how things work now. Please, just wait for your father to get back.

My patience evaporated. Our companys performance, I snapped, my voice cutting through the chatter, is the result of our employees hard work and our shareholders investment. If we could build a successful corporation based on some New Age nonsense and a designated mascot, we could all just quit and go burn incense at a temple every day!

My words hung in the air.

Faces around the room shifted. Some flushed with embarrassment at being called out. Others hid their faces, quietly wiping away tears. And a few, the ones who had clearly been suffering under Kikis reign, looked at me with newfound support.

Ms. Ross is right! one of the senior engineers spoke up. I never believed in this good luck charm garbage! It was just a string of coincidences.

Just then, the head of marketing let out a strangled cry.

Oh my God! Northgate Industriesthey just signed with our biggest competitor! Thats our thirty-million-dollar annual materials contract! He stared at his phone, his face pale. Theyre not answering my calls! Did they block me?!

What!

Ms. Ross! Apologize to Kiki right now! Tell her you didnt mean it!

Yes, Kiki is our North Star! You made her angry and now were being punished! The universe is turning against us!

You cant let your ego sink the entire company!

The panic was infectious, the employees pleas turning into accusations.

Kiki watched the chaos unfold, a smug little smile playing on her lips. You know, Ms. Ross, Im a forgiving person. Just give me a sincere, formal apology, and we can pretend this never happened.

I stared at her, my expression unreadable.

Did I stutter? You. Are. Fired.

Fine! Fine! Dont come crawling back to me! Kiki shot up from her chair and stormed toward the exit, throwing me one last venomous glare.

Wait, I said.

What? Regret it already? Too late! She didn't break her stride. I wouldnt come back to this hellhole unless you got on your knees and begged for my forgiveness in the middle of Times Square!

Who said anything about asking you to stay? I want to settle your accounts.

My voice was calm, cutting through her tantrum. Every single item the company purchased for you needs to be inventoried before you leave. Who knows what you might accidentally take with you?

I started ticking items off. Your top-of-the-line PC, your tablet, your sound system that custom ergonomic chair that cost over ten thousand dollars, the lease on your downtown penthouse apartment, all those imported groceries and prime rib that were expensed to the company card

Every last cent needs to be accounted for. If one thing is missing, our next meeting will be at the police station.

You! You! Fine! You want to play it like that? Kikis face twisted into a grotesque mask of fury. A second later, it melted into the expression of a deeply wronged victim. When Mr. Ross hired me, he said I didnt have to do anything! He said my only job was to be happy and have fun here every day

She sniffled. You fire me without cause. Ill see you at the Labor Board!

Did you get any of that in writing? Who do you think the board will believe? Me, with security footage of you goofing off all day, every day? Or you, with your story about being a magical good luck charm?

I didn't even wait for an answer, just pointed to a few terrified-looking junior accountants. You, you, and you. Go with her. Conduct a full inventory and exit interview.

They froze, looking from me to Kiki.

My voice dropped to ice. You work for this company, not for her. You will do as I say and document every single paperclip. If you have a problem with that, you can follow her to HR and pick up your own severance package.

That got them moving.

Kikis face was beet red. She stared at me as if I were already dead.

Suddenly, Linda burst back into the room, her phone pressed to her ear, her face ashen.

Ms. Ross! The stock just dropped fifty percent! Its in a freefall! The major shareholders are all calling at once! Theyre saying if it drops another point, theyre pulling out completely!

The room fell into a stunned silence.

A moment later, Mr. Henderson, one of my father's oldest and most loyal executives, approached me, his expression grave. Audrey, youre new to this. Dont be stubborn. Just apologize to Kiki. Shes a good kid, shell forgive you.

I didnt even hesitate. No. The decision is final.

Kiki had to go.

Audrey Ross! What is this madness! You come home with me right now!

My mother stormed in, her face a storm of anger and disappointment. She slapped me hard on the back.

The second you get off the plane you come here and act like a tyrant? And you target Ms. Kiki? I swear, you went to London to study business, but it seems all you learned was how to be a fool! She whirled on me. Apologize to her! Now!

Then, just as quickly, she turned to Kiki, her entire demeanor changing to one of abject humility. Ms. Kiki, please, my daughter is just a foolish girl, dont take it to heart. I promise you, right here and now, you will always have a place at Ross Industries. In fact, starting next month, well double your salary. What do you say?

It was pathetic. Humiliating.

No! I couldnt let my mother chain us to this parasite again! Even if it meant bankruptcy, Kiki had to be expelled.

In a moment of pure desperation, I grabbed a fruit knife from a gift basket on a nearby desk and pressed it to my own throat.

Mom! If you don't let me fire this bitch today, I swear to God I will die right here in front of you! I pressed harder. A thin line of blood welled against the steel.

My mother shrieked, collapsing into tears, begging me to put the knife down.

A wave of guilt and sorrow washed over me, so strong it almost buckled my knees. But I couldn't tell her the real reason. I couldnt tell my broken, weeping mother the truth.

Not yet.

Mom! You have to choose! Is it going to be your daughter, or this this snake?

Okay! Okay! I wont interfere! Just please, put the knife down! she sobbed, wringing her hands.

I dropped the knife into a wastebasket and fixed my glare on Kiki, who stood silently in the corner, her face pale and pinched. Get out. Now. Or do you need an engraved invitation?

For the first time, I saw a flicker of genuine panic in her eyes. I saw it.

But before she could move, a commotion erupted at the office entrance.

Ms. Kiki! Why would you subject yourself to this abuse? The doors of Croft Enterprises are always open for you! Five hundred thousand a month! You don't even have to clock in, just grace us with your presence once a day. How does that sound?

A bald, portly man in an expensive suit pushed his way into the room. It was Harrison Croft, the vulture who had just poached our thirty-million-dollar Northgate contract. He was grinning, his face creasing into a fawning smile.

His eyes landed on my mother and me, and his smile turned into a sneer. See? This is what happens when you let women run things. Firing the companys golden goose because of some petty jealousy. You think business is a tea party? You see a pretty face you dont like and just kick her to the curb.

He winked at me, his gaze oily and repulsive. Audrey, when this whole thing goes belly-up, you come see Uncle Harry. Ill find something for you to do.

I wanted to scream at him, but I couldnt risk taking my eyes off Kiki. Not for a second.

Mr. Croft, thank you for the generous offer, Kiki said, her voice trembling artfully. But Mr. Ross gave me my start. Even though Ive been so terribly wronged, I feel I should wait until Mr. Ross himself tells me Im fired. Only then can I truly move on.

She refused him.

She actually refused him.

In that instant, it was like a lightning strike to the brain. Everything clicked into place.

I knew everything.

Forget your start! Kiki, are you that shameless? I spat, my voice dripping with venom. Youre not waiting for my father. Youre in love with him, arent you? Is that your game? You want to be the mistress? Break up my parents marriage?

What is this, some kind of twisted sugar baby fantasy? Youre no good luck charm. Youre a parasite! I turned to my mother. Mom, dont you see? Im getting rid of this homewrecker for you! I wont let her destroy our family!

I threw every disgusting accusation I could think of at her, watching the words land like physical blows.

Youyoure lying! How dare you! Kikis face was now a violent shade of crimson. Humiliation finally broke her composure, and she burst into tears.

It wasnt enough.

I pulled out my phone, logged into the companys master admin system, and deleted Kikis security profile and keycard access right in front of her.

Get. Out.

The next second, it began. Phones started ringing all across the office, a symphony of disaster.

Multiple trucks in the transport fleet have spontaneously caught fire! We cant make deliveries! The breach of contract fees are going to be astronomical!

A main water line burst at the primary manufacturing plant! Its flooding! The whole facility is underwater!

Its over! Someone leaked our new core technology online! Its everywhere! Billions in R&D, just gone!

The component we launched last month were being sued for patent infringement! Theyre saying we stole the technology! #BoycottRoss is trending everywhere!



The bad news was a tidal wave. My mother swayed on her feet, grabbing a desk for support. Audrey, please, stop being so stubborn she whispered.

The employees, however, were done whispering.

Audrey Ross, you entitled little brat! one of the men screamed, his face contorted with rage. When this company goes under, youll still be a millionaire! Youll just fly back to your fancy life abroad! But us? We have mortgages! We have kids to feed!

My wife just had our second baby! Do you have any idea how much formula costs? a man from accounting cried out. Mr. Ross, Im begging you, take back the order!

My sons tuition is due! If I lose this job, what am I supposed to do? My ex doesn't pay a dime of child support! Are you trying to kill us, Ms. Ross?!

Their desperate, furious faces swam before my eyes. I dug my nails into my palms, the sharp pain a grounding shock to my system.

And then, the final straw.

Linda looked up from her phone, her voice hollow. The company accounts have been frozen due to excessive debt.

Its over Were not even going to get our last paycheck, are we?!

Ms. Ross, please The woman whose son had tuition due fell to her knees in front of me.

Through the cacophony, Kiki let out a small, delicate laugh. She adopted a mask of magnanimity. Look, I dont want to see everyone lose their jobs. But Ms. Ross has been so cruel to me today. So how about this. If Ms. Ross kneels down and apologizes to me, Ill stay.

Hope, desperate and ugly, flickered back to life in the eyes of every employee.

Harrison Croft chose that moment to jump back in. Ms. Kiki, youre too loyal for your own good! Look what it gets you! Come to Croft Enterprises, Ill have a million dollars wired to your account before you even sign the papers!

The employees renewed hope curdled back into sheer terror.

Every single person in the room was staring at me, their breath held, their futures hanging on my next words.

I finally spoke, my voice clear and steady.

I said shes fired. And she is fired. If the company goes down with her, so be it.

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