I watched her try to hide her horror.
“Sustainable fashion. Very on trend.”
Dad cleared his throat.
“Let’s get started. We’re here because we’re worried about you, Alexandra.”
“About my situation?”
I took the least comfortable chair, deliberately facing them all.
“About your choices,” Mom corrected. “Two years ago, you had everything. Junior partner track at McKinsey, that lovely penthouse apartment. William.”
Ah, yes. William.
The investment banker they practically planned my wedding to before I called it off to start my company.
“And now…” Dad gestured vaguely. “Living in that tiny apartment, driving that old car, working on some… what do you call it?”
“Tech startup,” James supplied helpfully. “Though startup implies growth potential.”
He smiled. All teeth and MBA confidence.
“I took a look at your sector. The market is saturated. No room for new players without serious capital backing.”
I bit back a smile.
James, who tried to get his own startup funded three times before falling back on his trust fund.
James, who had no idea he’d been pitching to one of my subsidiary investment firms last month.
James, who’d been rejected again.
“We’re just trying to help,” Emma added. “There’s no shame in admitting something isn’t working. McKinsey would take you back in a heartbeat.”
“Actually,” Aunt Patricia chimed in, “Barbara’s daughter just got promoted to partner there. Youngest female partner in their history.”
She paused meaningfully.
“That could have been you.”
I checked my watch. 7:43 p.m. The Forbes article would drop in seventeen minutes.
“You haven’t even told us what your company actually does,” Mom complained. “All this secrecy, these long hours, and what do you have to show for it?”
Dad stood, assuming his CEO stance, the same one he used for countless boardroom presentations.
“We’re here to discuss your failing company and plan your next steps. No more avoiding the reality.”
Emma’s phone chimed.
She glanced at it, then did a double take. Her perfectly maintained composure cracked.
“Oh my God,” she whispered.
Then louder.
“Why is your face on Forbes’ ’30 Under 30′ list?”
The room froze.