My Family Called Me a Freeloader, So I Took Every Client Away Chapter 02

My Family Called Me a Freeloader, So I Took Every Client Away Chapter 02

He thought customers picked him because his building supply company was so good. My referrals, apparently, had nothing to do with it.

There were plenty of good building supply companies. His wasn’t the only one.

“This year?” Tyler raised his voice. “She has to pay back the old commissions too. If she cuts us off, good riddance. Who needs a broke relative who bleeds us dry?”

I looked at Daniel. He kept his head down. “Is that what you think too? Did you forget what you told me?”

He swallowed and spoke so softly I could hardly hear him. “That was a long time ago. By the second year, my business was doing fine. I didn’t need you anymore.”

“But I kept paying you. For ten years. That’s enough. You did nothing and took tens of thousands every year.”

“And yes, I appreciate your help getting Tyler into the best school in Charlotte, but…”

Tyler cut him off. “Thank her for what? I got into college on my grades. I earned that place myself.”

“When some broke relative loses an argument, she drags up the past. Say whatever you want. You’re giving the money back today.”

“If you can’t pay, sign an IOU.”

He put a pen and paper in front of me. “We’re settling this now. My family isn’t your personal ATM.”

Years ago, Daniel couldn’t afford to send Tyler to a good private school in Charlotte, so Tyler would’ve had to attend public school back in their hometown.

The schools back home were badly underfunded. Even Tyler’s English teacher could barely teach the subject. Daniel begged everyone he knew for help.

I couldn’t bear watching him plead, and I wanted Tyler to have a better education too.

I spent roughly $42,000 over time on meetings, meals, and drinks to open doors for him. More than once, I drank until my stomach bled, took a few painkillers, and went to the next meeting. Finally, I got Tyler into the city’s best private school.

And now they called that a favor I held over their heads.

“What exactly did I take from you?” I asked Daniel.

He looked away without answering.

I laughed. “Fine. I’ll pay it back, and from today on, I don’t have a brother.”

“Great!” Tyler held out his phone with his bank details. “Dad’s better off without a broke relative like you. Thanks for making it easy.”

Daniel started toward us, but Tyler got ahead of him. “Dad, she owes us. We’re entitled to the money. We’re being nice by not charging interest.”

My bank transfer of $200,000 cleared. Everyone around the table sat up.

Tyler smiled like he’d won. “You’re always using the past to guilt Dad. He might fall for it. I don’t.”

“We believe in keeping things fair. You took money that wasn’t yours, so you paid it back.”

Once Tyler had recovered Daniel’s money, the others began to think about their own.

Claire sat at the table, barely touching her food.

I was about to speak when Tyler said, “Our account’s settled. What about my aunts’?”

Claire waved her hands. “No, you don’t have to repay the old commissions. It’s just that going forward…”

“How much do you think I owe you?” I asked her. “Say it. Let’s settle everything.”

“There’s no need. You did run around for us over the years, even if you didn’t help that much. That must have been tiring.”

“Tiring?” Tyler cut in. “She talked to a few people.”

“A construction worker would break his back earning that much. She got it just by opening her mouth!”

“Since we’re finally being honest, let’s settle everyone’s accounts.”

I looked around the room. “Anyone else want to end our business arrangement?”