Chapter 12
Anna considered quitting.
That surprised me only because I had become arrogant enough to think correction should make people want to stay.
She sat in my office.
Mia coloring beside her.
“I don’t know if I can work here.”
Fair.
“Because of Celeste?”
“Because I believed her when she said you ordered things.”
That mattered.
Anna did not trust her own judgment around authority anymore.
Every instruction now raised questions.
Is this real?
Is this borrowed?
Will I get punished if I verify?
A toxic environment can survive after the toxic person leaves because fear becomes internal.
“What would make staying possible?”
She thought.
“Direct confirmation.”
Good.
We created something simple.
Any instruction involving tasting, medication, physical punishment, wage withholding, schedule changes beyond a set limit, or access to Mia supposedly coming from me required direct confirmation through the estate manager.
No paperwork culture.
Just call.
Ask.
If anyone objected to verification, that was itself suspicious.
Anna nodded.
Then:
“And I don’t taste drinks.”
I almost smiled.
“Never again.”
“Even yours.”
“Especially mine.”
Mia looked up.
“Blue bad.”
“Yes.”
Then Anna asked for something else.
Two evenings off each week guaranteed.
Done.
Not favor.
Normal life.
She stayed.
For now.
May you like
Choice.
That mattered more than loyalty.
