Chapter 26
He replied. [Why are you so petty?]
Through the screen, I could feel his displeasure.
000
I didn’t want to engage with him and simply closed the chat window, focusing on preparing the event plan instead.
Not long after, Tamara suddenly stood up, making a loud noise.
I turned my head to look and saw her eyes red as she walked up to me with an air of defiance.
The colleagues nearby were startled by the sound and instinctively asked, “Tamara, what’s wrong?”
Tamara didn’t answer but instead bowed to me, speaking loudly, “I’m sorry, Charlene. I misunderstood you. Please don’t hold this against me and don’t go after Harlan anymore. It’s all my fault. I apologize to you.”
She didn’t stand up straight for a long while.
Her voice had caught the attention of everyone in the office, and all eyes were now on me.
One of the colleagues walked over to Tamara and whispered, “It’s really not a big deal, Tamara. You didn’t have to do this.”
I recognized the colleague. She was an intern who came to work with Tamara, named Stella Chappell. They were reportedly university classmates, and Stella had gotten her position at Lunaris Corporation through Tamara’s connections.
Tamara shot a pitiful glance at Stella. “Charlene asked me to apologize. I can’t make Harlan uncomfortable.”
Upon hearing this, Stella glanced at me and mustered the courage to speak up for her friend. “Charlene, you did cause her allergy. You could just explain things clearly. Why do you have to humiliate Tamara like this?”
I chuckled. “Humiliate? Am I humiliating Tamara?”
Stella stood up straighter, as though gaining confidence. “Yes. You made Tamara apologize publicly–how is that not humiliating?”
I couldn’t help but smile. “So what? You’re saying I should just accept this injustice quietly?”
Stella’s cheeks flushed immediately, and she stammered, “I—I didn’t say that.”
I set down the work I was holding and calmly looked at her. “Isn’t that exactly what you mean? You’re just playing the victim–blaming game. This whole company is buzzing about this incident, and yet Tamara has never stood up for me.”
Stella faltered, unsure of how to respond.
Tamara, however, pitifully got up, her lower lip swollen from biting it, and she spoke in a soft voice, “Charlene, I thought you didn’t care about these things. Besides, I’ve already compensated you. I gave you a 10% share of the bonus.”
Upon hearing this, Stella became more animated and immediately spoke up, “Charlene, how can you be so unreasonable? Tamara has already compensated you, and you still won’t let it go. How did someone like you even become the deputy director?”
I sat in my wheelchair, my expression calm. “Tamara, you’re really funny. Do you think what you believe is the truth? If you think Lunaris Corporation belongs to you, does that mean Harlan should give up his position for you?”
Tamara lowered her head. “I didn’t mean that.”
I didn’t bother responding to her and continued, “Also, if you’ve forgotten how you got this bonus, I don’t mind reminding you in the work group.”
Then I glanced at Stella and said, “And you, you’ve been here a month, but haven’t finished a project. Your attitude is also unprofessional. So instead of blaming me, you’d better focus on surviving your internship and staying at Lunaris Corporation.”
Stella widened her eyes in disbelief. “Are you threatening me?*
1 chuckled lightly. “If that’s how you see it, so be it.”
Stella immediately became flustered. She glanced at Tamara, but Tamara’s gaze wasn’t on her; she was too busy wiping away her tears. Seeing this, Stella’s expression shifted back and forth.
I couldn’t help but find it amusing.
She was hoping Tamara would help her?
11
