Page 35 of The Exposed Heiress

She smoothed a stray hair away from her face. “The problems with cash flow, expenditures, and sales have been evident for a long time. But instead of moving ahead with needed cutbacks, we attempted to ride out the problems in the hopes that increased sales would make up the difference.”

An employee called out, “But we’re about to introduce a new line.”

Emma held her hand up. “Let’s wait on questions. The bottom line is that we’ve gotten to a point that borrowing money or finding an investor isn’t possible. We simply won’t be able pay our bills or make payroll. We’ve decided to re-structure and sell the building.”

A long-time employee said, “Bolles has always operated out of this building.”

Raising her chin, Emma said “We’ll find a new location. But as part of this re-structuring, the work force needs to be cut in half and those remaining will need to agree to decreased wages.”

A younger employee called out, “Why would anyone stay?”

Looking around the group of gathered employees, Emma said, “That’s a fair question. I expect every employee to think about their future and what is best in their case. Not everyone can afford to accept a reduced salary. If your job is being eliminated, we are giving a small severance package and help with finding a new position.”

A seamstress asked, “Who are you keeping?”

Emma held her arms close to her body. “I asked Claire to send an email out with a schedule for meetings with me over the next few hours. I’ll give everyone either a contract for employment or a severance package.”

One of her father’s direct reports shouted out, “I’m not staying. Your father would have never done this.”

Emma looked at the man. “I get it. This is tough. Change is hard, but there’s no other way.”

The seamstress asked, “So we’re supposed to go and check our email?”

“If it’s easier, talk with Claire and she’ll tell you when your meeting is scheduled.”

A younger employee asked, “Why has it come to this?”

Leo stepped forward and said, “I can answer some of the financial questions and give Emma time to meet with everyone.”

Stepping down from the stool, Emma left the studio with the seamstress who had asked about her position.

He said, “Bolles has brand recognition, but it doesn’t have enough sales. The money coming in isn’t enough to cover expenses.” Many of the employees stared off and didn’t seem to take in much of what he was saying.

A man threw his hands up and said, “Why haven’t we been given more notice? I’ve worked here for twelve years.”

Leo thought about James and took in a deep breath. “James Bolles was under an enormous amount of stress, and my only guess is that he was trying to find a way to hold on to the business.”

The same employee called out, “If he could make it work, why can’t you?”

Leo glanced at John Blatchly and then said, “It’s the eleventh hour and I’ve walked in here when things were beginning to spiral downward. Bolles can’t find a lifeline, so we have to pivot. The only chance that we have is selling the building and decreasing the overhead.”

Another employee, a young woman who he recognized from the boutique, said, “So that’s it. We’re out of a job.”

“Emma is trying to connect employees with other couture houses and we have scraped together a small severance package. It’s the most that we can manage.”

Glancing around the room, he could see the uncertainty. “I’m going to let everyone have a few minutes to process all of this. I’m here for the reminder of the day if you want to talk about anything.”

Stepping out of the room, he unfastened the top button of his dress shirt and pulled his tie loose. He hadn’t expected to feel so responsible.

A vein pulsed in his neck and he forced himself to leave the building. Out on the street, he looked for a food vendor. He needed a distraction and walked towards a nearby café.

Ordering a double espresso, he paid the cashier and sat at a table outside. They were doing the right things, but it messed with his head. He thought about his mother losing her job when he was a small boy. It cost them their flat. She couldn’t pay the rent, and instead she packed up what they could carry and went to a friend’s house. A few people put them up for several weeks, but when his mother couldn’t find care for him and his brother while looking for work, they were asked to leave. Without any options, she found a vacant warehouse and created a place for them to sleep.

He spent time looking after Tyler and entertaining him. But soon it had gotten so cold that they could barely stand it. His mother would leave them for a few hours a day to clean houses and come back with something for them to eat.

Leo stood up. He couldn’t allow himself to dwell on that time. He needed to do something. He’d talk to the employees and offer assistance. He refused to let anyone fall into poverty.

Walking back into the office, he found Emma in the conference room. An older seamstress got up from a seat and nodded to him.

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