The turning point came quietly. After yet another vendor called to “clear the air,” Mia drove to their shop herself. The florist, a kind woman named Rachel, looked embarrassed. “Your mother-in-law said you’d changed the color scheme.” Mia smiled. “I didn’t. Let’s keep the original order, and send me the invoices directly.”
From that moment, Mia stopped reacting and started planning. Each time Eleanor meddled, Mia rerouted control. She contacted every vendor personally, charmed them with warmth and professionalism, and soon had them forwarding every update to her instead. Slowly, Eleanor’s influence began to crumble.