“I don’t think you’re that kind of person, Anna. That’s why I didn’t spread those rumors like the others did. But some of them said they saw you entering his office and hugging him…” Uncertainty flickered in Millie’s eyes as she spoke timidly.
Even though she was doubtful, the fact that she didn’t immediately believe those rumors about me was enough. At least there was one person who was on my side.
“I didn’t try to seduce him. Mr. Skeete was the one who wanted to take advantage of me. I slapped him out of instinct. That’s why he wants revenge and keeps making things difficult for me here.”
When I thought about how Conrad kept making my life difficult these days, unprecedented rage burned in me. Since we already had a falling-out, I decided to tell everyone what a hypocrite he was.
“So that’s what happened. Mr. Skeete definitely went over the line! How could he take advantage of a female employee? I really don’t understand how someone like him managed to become a supervisor!”
After listening to my explanation, Millie believed me and even felt aggrieved on my behalf.
“Millie, remember to just keep this to yourself. If others catch wind of this, you might also get on Conrad’s bad side.”
Although I wanted to clarify this matter once and for all, I didn’t want Millie to be the one to do it. After all, she was the only colleague I got along with in the office. The last thing I wanted was to drag her down with me.
“Anna!”
Just when Millie was going to tell me something, Conrad’s unpleasant voice interrupted us. I was already disgusted by him, so hearing his voice made me even more nauseated.
I stood up and looked at Conrad, who was approaching me, with an indifferent gaze. His beady eyes were filled with rage.
I waited until he stopped in front of me before asking in a monotonous voice, “Can I help you, Mr. Skeete?”
Upon seeing Conrad walk up to me, the other employees returned to their seats and cast furtive glances at me, clearly waiting for a good show.
“Who allowed you to sit here? Didn’t I already tell you that you’re fired?”
Conrad planted his hands on his hips and scowled at me.
Having already expected this, I pinned Conrad with an icy gaze and retorted, “Oh? But I don’t recall you telling me that, Mr. Skeete.”
If it were in the past, I might have had some scruples, but now that Conrad and I were on bad terms, I had nothing to fear. Since there was no way out of this mess, I was going to clear my name and tell everyone what a degenerate Conrad was before I left the company.
“So you’re denying it? Allow me to jog your memory, then. When you called me to apply for leave yesterday, I already told you that you’re fired. How dare you still come here?”
I had successfully provoked Conrad by feigning cluelessness because he spoke loud enough for everyone in the department to hear.
“Mr. Skeete, are you admitting that I called you yesterday to apply for leave? Then why did you tell everyone that I skipped work for no reason? Don’t you think you’re shooting yourself in the foot now?”
I sneered at Conrad. Although I no longer harbored any hope of staying in the company, I was sure as hell going to prove my innocence before leaving.
Upon hearing what I said, everyone looked to Conrad as one, clearing realizing that he was intentionally smearing my reputation.
When Conrad felt so many pairs of eyes on him, his expression changed subtly, obviously beginning to feel guilty. However, he was the head of the department, after all. Hence, he still looked self-assertive even after I exposed him.
“So what if you called to apply for leave? Since I didn’t approve it, it means you skipped work. You’re already fired, Anna. You have ten minutes to pack up and leave!”
Conrad was adamant about firing me this time. What little guilt he displayed just moments ago had vanished completely.
My anger spiked because I knew he was after my blood. Recalling the condition he had suggested over the phone the previous day, a sarcastic smile took residence on my lips and I spoke in a frosty voice. “Did you reject my leave application because I didn’t agree to your disgusting condition? Is that it? It’s a shame Joyful Success has a department head like you. You’re an absolute disgrace to such a good company!”
“Stop spouting nonsense here, Anna! One more word and believe it or not, I’ll call security on you!”
Panic was sprawled on Conrad’s face, as though worried that I would reveal what he did to me.
“What? Are you scared that I’d tell everyone that you wanted to sleep with me but I rejected you?”
Conrad’s flustered expression brought me great satisfaction. I was no pushover. Even if I didn’t have the power to change anything, I wasn’t about to let Conrad off that easily. I wanted everyone to know the truth as well as what a wretched person he was.
“Stop making up stories! This is the office. How dare you make such vulgar claims! Why did the company even hire someone like you?”
There was apparent guilt lining Conrad’s features, but he still wanted to shift all the blame onto me. Only true scum like him could act so righteous when slandering others.
“You know perfectly well whether or not I’m making up stories. And only you know exactly what kind of person you are!”
I met Conrad’s gaze head-on, refusing to show any trace of weakness.
“Security! Get this person out of my sight!”
My words had well and truly triggered Conrad, and he directly called for security.
I knew he was behaving like this because of guilt. He was afraid everyone would believe me if I continued speaking. If that happened, he would lose his authority here.
A single command from Conrad had two security guards rushing in.
At the sight of them, a smug smile flashed across Conrad’s face, and he ordered loudly, “She’s making a scene here. Throw her out this instant!”
The security guards’ jobs were to maintain order in the company. Since Conrad was a department head and this was a direct order from him, the two guards immediately approached me. Judging from their demeanor, it seemed like they were about to get physical with me.
“Anna…”
Millie shot me a nervous glance, and I also discerned a trace of pity in it.
