Chapter 10 - The Employees Choose Sides
The audit leaked.
Nobody knew who leaked it.
Staff panicked.
Rumors spread that Thomas planned to close locations.
David told managers:
“Thomas is trying to seize a company he abandoned.”
Thomas refused to respond publicly.
Then kitchen employees at two restaurants received delayed supplier deliveries because lenders tightened credit.
Now silence became dangerous.
Thomas called a company-wide meeting.
David tried to block it.
Thomas invoked rights under the secured financing agreement.
Four hundred employees joined online.
Thomas spoke first.
“I am not here to tell you David built nothing.”
David, watching from another room, looked surprised.
Thomas continued:
“He built more of Imperial Lotus than anyone.”
Then:
“But I helped build it too.”
He explained the dispute without calling David a thief.
No accusations not yet proved.
No promises of easy outcomes.
Then an employee asked:
“Are our jobs safe?”
Thomas answered:
“That is my priority.”
Another:
“Are you taking over?”
“I don't know yet.”
People appreciated that answer more than certainty.
Quan attended.
So did Kevin.
Afterward Quan told Thomas:
“Mr. Tran said you would make everything about yourself.”
Thomas looked toward the restaurant.
“Maybe sometimes I did.”
Quan seemed surprised.
May you like
Thomas added:
“But this isn't one of those times.”
