Page 91 of Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice

I kept quiet.

“But I overheard Eric on the phone one afternoon, talking to Alec Mackenzie.” At this, her face turned menacing. “So I began to wonder if maybe you were with him. His family wouldn’t say anything. Turns out my hunch was correct. I’m sure I would have found you eventually, but it was fast-tracked when a journalist from thePort Benedict Gazettecalled.”

So not just Naomi and Eric. Phil also called her. “What did he want?”

“He was writing an article about Mackenzie Constructionsand its founder and discovered his connection to the Pangs through you,his girlfriend.” My mother sneered. “I made it very clear to him that you are not his girlfriend, and our family is in no way connected to Alec Mackenzie or his family. But thanks to him, we found out where you are.”

“Well, congratulations, Mom. You found me. But I’m sorry you made the trip all the way here for nothing, because I’m still not going back home with you.”

“I heard about your latest hypo. And how you ignored the signs.”

My jaw unhinged. “How did you know?”

“You’re lucky it didn’t escalate into much worse. Have you forgotten that horrible episode ten years ago? Do you realize there’s one single person connecting you to both incidents?” She advanced on me, her eyes narrowing. “Every single time, it’s him. It’s not a coincidence.”

“It’s just another hypo,” I said impatiently. “You know it happens. It’s not a big deal.”

“Maybe that last one wasn’t. But the next one could be. And if that happened, who’s going to be there to look after you? Only your family. No one else can. Especially not someone like him.”

“You’re wrong. You’re just saying that because you’ve never liked Alec and his family. He’s been putting a lot of effort into learning about everything.” I gritted my teeth. “And I can look after myself perfectly well.”

“We’re reinstating you in the will. Provided that you come home with me and cut off all ties with that man. Right now.”

“Are you serious? Do you not see what I’ve built here?” I gestured around the bakery. “Do you really expect me to just walk away and leave everything? Should I just lock up and tell my employee that she doesn’t have a job anymore?”

“Only one?” She waved a dismissive hand. “That’s easy. Just pay her wages for the next three months.”

“How?I need toopenthe business to have the money to pay her.”

I could have sworn she looked bored with this conversation already.

“Fine. Pang Food Industries will foot the bill. We’ll make sure she’s paid and looked after.” She gave an impatient shake of her head. “Stop wasting time. Is that all?”

“I. Have. A. Business.” I enunciated each word, as if I were talking to a disrespectful toddler who was refusing to listen. “Something of my own that I started from scratch. Something that I’mproudof.”

“Put it up for sale. You’re going to work for the family,” my mother said, with a finality in her tone. “Eric and George still need a capable CFO at their brewery. We were so lucky the Fitzgeralds were willing to move on from that humiliating proposal. You’ll need to learn the ropes because one day, when your father and I retire, Eric will inherit the business, and he’s going to need someone he trusts to help him manage things.”

“Eric will inherit the business,” I repeated, my ears ringing with anger. “And I’ll be the one helping him manage things.”

“Exactly.” My mother looked pleased that I finally understood her grand plan.

“Maybe you could refresh my memory. Not that I wanted it, but explain to me again why I’m not inheriting the business alongside Eric?”

She raised her eyebrows. “That’s pretty self-explanatory, isn’t it? He’s the firstborn son. You don’t have the capability to shoulder such an enormous responsibility, and you don’t need the extra pressure that comes with running Pang Food Industries. We can’t have someone with a health issue holding the reins.You have a disability, Ellie.If something were to happen to you, it would leave the leadership of the group in a void. Thousands of people depend on us. We need someone healthy, strong, and of soundmind to lead the business, and Eric is the perfect person for the job. Not you.”

I couldn’t believe my ears. “Did you say disability? And of sound mind?” That was news to me.

“Well, you rejected a perfectly fine marriage proposal, then left your family without even saying goodbye. Your father and I think that shows immaturity and recklessness. What if we put you in charge of the business, and you suddenly decided to do that again? Bolt from all your responsibilities? That would be disastrous. Billions of dollars could be at risk.”

Immaturity and recklessness?Seriously?

“Plus, Eric has his degrees, his MBA, and he’s been involved with the business since he graduated. Whereas you chose to waste time working for other people and doing meaningless cooking courses and whatever the hell else you’ve been doing.” Giving me a satisfied nod, she concluded her spiel, “That’s why we’re leaving the business to Eric, with you assisting.”

My head spun. I needed her to get out of here. Out of my life.

“We’ve already been through this so many times. You’re different. You have limitations, and you need to accept that your life will never be normal.” She made a circling gesture in the air, indicating the bakery. “Trying to pretend otherwise, to prove it by running a business of your own, will never work. It changes nothing.”

I wanted to scream. I wanted to grab the delicately embellished porcelain cupcake holder behind me and throw it against the wall.

---