Page 65 of Conquered Obstacles

“Over a million at least from what I’ve already calculated,” Jamie admitted.

I wasn’t the only one who whistled at that.

“Get out, Mr. Mendoza,” the big boss declared. “We will finish our contract with you, but we’re done after that. I’ve been tired of your antics for a while, but this is the final nail in the coffin.”

“We had more actually,” Kary admitted, shrugging when Mary, Jamie, and I shot her amused looks. “What? I want to drop him off the roof he’s such a jerk and has done so much to try and mess with us. This isn’t enough punishment.”

It was clear a bunch of people in the room agreed with us, but that was life.

“Now, does everyone agree there are no valid health concerns of any validity or any problems getting food from Karma Bakery?” I asked, glancing around the room. I smirked at Gil before focusing back on the big boss. “Glad that’s settled. Now, while I apologize for hijacking this meeting, it now won’t be a waste of time.”

Jamie took over and started passing out the presentations. “Since I’ve been hired on as CEO, the main goal has been expanding to ramp up to meet the demands, and a big part of that is Costco. As you are already aware, we now have factories solely for meat buns, decorations, and cookies including the cookie dough tubs you sell.”

“And are insanely popular,” the female executive praised. “All the feedback we received was that they were thrilled to have two options, and they hope there will always be. I was hoping to discuss that—I believe you were leaving, Mr. Mendoza.”

“You will regret picking her over us,” he seethed as he pushed to his feet. “She’s some flashy fad and—”

“You’re a relic of cheap ingredients and not caring about the health of your consumer,” I drawled. “You have so many artificial everything in your products that I’m shocked they’re not practically AI at this point. I use quality ingredients and don’t charge crazy prices for them because I’m not greedy. Irresponsible business practices need to go the way of the dodo.”

“Well said, Ms. Baker,” the big boss praised. “Now get the hell out of my office, Mendoza. You said this meeting was vital to the future of Costco. Your axe to grind with a competitor was never vital to us and certainly not for one that we value more than you.”

“And can provide what they do but of better quality,” I added just to make it hurt. I gave a little wave as he stormed for the door, his attorney scampering after him. “Well, that was fun. Almost worth the flight out here even if I hate flying.”

“You definitely have a flair for the dramatics,” the big boss praised. “Now, let’s see if you’re as easy to work with in person as I’ve heard.” He nodded for me to take one of the empty seats.

I did, Kary and Mary joining me as Jamie went over the presentation explaining how we had factories online or coming online for brownies, scones, meringues, cake donuts and donut holes, and pie crusts. They were thrilled to hear it all. There was definitely a market for selling a three-or five-pack of frozen pie crusts at their stores.

And people went wild for the meringues.

All of it even.

“My daughters are very smart and better with trends and fun than I am,” I told them. “They had the idea of starting fun in between holidays especially since we’ll have such a big gap soon. After Easter, there isn’t another one so food focused until Halloween again. Well, dessert-wise. Fourth of July barbeques and whatnot, but you know what I’m saying.”

“Yes, but we’ve tried that before and it didn’t turn out well,” one of them commented.

“Because you’re a big corporation and were clearly trying to sell them more things,” I replied honestly. “We’re the fun bakery that everyone wants more from. We’re going to do it just to try new things and have fun and we’ll let Costco join us. We’re thinking a festival of pies the weekend after next. And we can go from there. Who can hate a festival of cookies or scones?”

“People will, but some people just hate everything,” the big boss agreed. “There are a few things we do want to talk to you about replacing that Mendoza did. Granted we don’t want you do to it like he did, especially since we were considering discontinuing a few of the items. But the mini muffins are popular.”

I shrugged. “I can get a muffin factory going. Mini in little packages and so many packages in a box?” I waited until he nodded. “Changing flavors? Not always blueberry?”

“Even better,” he accepted.

Overall, they loved it. Absolutely loved it. They were excited for the ramp-up and idea of having more. They were willing to redesign stores so they had more of a freezer/fridge section just so we had a whole block of each if we wanted. We weren’t trying to overtake their bakery, but there were a few things that they’d seen a decrease in sales of and were thinking of getting rid of.

But not because of us. No, it was in recent years and just the excitement had died or consumers wanted something else. They were watching their weight and being more health-conscious, so the carb-heavy breakfasts were out the door for most.

Whatever the reason, they made it clear it wasn’t us, but we could help them recover with more breakfast meat buns and more.

So it was definitely worth the flight out there. We celebrated on the plane and made it clear we were victorious once we arrived home. Everyone was thrilled, and we got ready to make pies, pies, and more pies.

Along with everything else.

18

A lot happened over the next few weeks, and for once, all of it was fairly positive. It turned out that Justina and Kary were able to find five women who were willing to go on the record about Mr. Fuller. The fact he hurt so many people wasn’t positive, but stopping a monster like that was.

Justina made sure that it wasn’t going to influence any of their studies or the colleges wouldn’t give them a hard time. They gave depositions over video call to start, and it was enough for Mr. Fuller to be arrested. The school was shocked and appalled… And super pissed we didn’t bring it to them first.

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