Aaron placed two contracts before me, saying, "Lucia, after years of working together, I don't want to embarrass you. Esther made a mistake, but that's in the past. If you apologize to her and acknowledge that this incident was a misunderstanding, the assistant supervisor position will be yours."
"What if I refuse?" I asked.
Aaron's expression turned ironic. "Then get out of here!"
As our company was the best in the industry, he could end my career easily.
Seeing my silence, Aaron continued angrily, "As an employee, you shouldn't let personal feelings interfere with your work or create difficulties for your colleagues. I understand you may feel jealous of Esther, but this can't affect the company's reputation. Apologize or leave, it's your choice."
He slammed the table.
At that moment, Hector burst in with a few colleagues.
"Mr. Henry, the collapse of the exhibition hall was not Esther's fault. She targeted Esther because Esther discovered she intentionally sabotaged the emergency facilities."
"What?" I was shocked by this sudden accusation.
"Esther said Lucia created the accident to frame her out of spite for taking over the project. She even assaulted Esther, and we have video evidence."
Hector sneered, "This could be considered intentional injury. If it weren't for Esther's kindness, you would have been in jail long ago."
In an instant, my former colleagues turned against me.
Just as they had in my previous life, pressuring me to admit to false charges and endure it quietly.
But this time, I wouldn't be at their mercy.
I said firmly, "In that case, I'll see you in court. I'm confident the law will deliver a fair judgment, and I don't mind making this public."
Having faced life and death before, I had nothing to fear.
I called the police in front of everyone and reached out to some reporters I knew, asking them to come and interview me.
6
The phone rang briefly before it was snatched away.
Aaron smashed my phone in front of me.
"Lucia, you don't know what's good for you. Don't blame us for forgetting our past friendship."
"I'm not wrong." I stubbornly stood my ground.
Since Esther joined the company, I endured relentless workplace bullying, like verbal insults, work traps, and isolation from coworkers.
I suffered through it all until my life was nearly ruined.
This time, I would fight for my dignity.
Aaron was furious and slapped me hard across the face.