Family on Their Knees Heart Turned to Ice novel Chapter 101

“Ms. Mercer, you didn't know?”

Lillian shook her head. “I'm sorry. When the company merged with the Blake Group, I was pregnant and had to leave. I specifically asked Sebastian to ensure all of you were well taken care of.

After that, I was completely consumed by family and my child, so I never followed up on these matters.”

Emma said, “It was a heartbreaking time, Ms. Mercer. You know better than anyone how we all worked day and night during the startup phase, treating the company like our home.

We’d crash on makeshift beds in the break room for four to six hours, then get right back to the grind.

We did it all for the promise that once the company succeeded, we, the founding members, would receive our stock options.

We were thrilled when we merged with the Blake Group. The company was like a child we had all raised together, and everyone wanted a brighter future for it.

But not long after joining the Blake Group, a new team of foreign-educated elites, led by Bella Ward, arrived.

Maybe it was because we original members knew where Mr. Blake's initial resources came from, but during the departmental restructuring, we were gradually sidelined.

Then, the slightest mistake would be blown way out of proportion until we were faced with two options: either resign and give up everything, or be fired with a black mark on our record.

We had our future careers to think about, so most of us left with nothing.

No stock options, not even a severance package. We were just cast out.

At that point, none of us realized how serious the problem was.

Later, we all struggled to find new jobs. Even when we did, our past 'mistakes' would be brought up and exaggerated, making it impossible to hold down a new position in a new company.

I’m the one who’s held on the longest here. To be honest, my skills are limited. I wouldn't earn much in other industries, so I could only apply to startups, hoping for a better chance.”

By the time Emma finished, Lillian had a clear picture of what had happened.

She had never trusted Bella's carefully crafted persona of a graceful, magnanimous, and detached woman.

A persona was just a persona. Lillian knew exactly what kind of person Sabrina was.

How could a woman like that raise a daughter who was any better?

On one hand, Bella cultivated an image of a highly educated, kind, and unambitious elite who had returned from abroad.

On the other, she secretly schemed to push out everyone who had worked with Lillian and knew about her history with Sebastian during the startup period.

She even used such despicable tactics to suppress them, making it impossible for them to even hold down a proper job.

Lillian asked, “Emma, how many of the old team can you still contact?”

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