Chapter 8
“I heard you’ve been spreading rumors around the company for three years, saying you and I have some kind of ‘special relationship?” Ralph said.
The whole office was dead silent.
Bethany’s face turned from pale to ashen.
“Mr. Ochoa, I swear I didn’t- she stammered.
“You didn’t?” Ralph opened the file. “March 2023, at a department dinner, you told your coworkers, The boss treats me differently!‘
“In July that same year, at a client dinner, you said, ‘You don’t need to worry about my relationship with Mr. Ochoa. “In January 2024, at the company party, you told the HR manager, ‘I’m in touch with Ralph all the time. Ralph? You actually called me Ralph?”
He closed the file.
He added, “Ms. Weber, how many times have we actually spoken to each other? Can you even count them?” Bethany was completely frozen. “I–I…”
Ralph’s voice was low, but every word cut like a knife. “You’ve been throwing your weight around the company for three years, all because of these rumors.
“How many people did you mistreat? How many people were too afraid of your so–called connections to speak up? Did you really think I didn’t know?”
He looked over at Floyd. “Floyd, do you have the investigation report?“
Floyd handed him a folder.
Ralph flipped through it quickly, then handed it to the HR director, who had arrived at some point without anyone noticing.
“According to the investigation,” the HR Director read from the file. “During her employment, Ms. Bethany Weber has engaged in the following policy violations. “First, using false information to build personal influence and disrupt normal management operations.
“Second, workplace bullying of subordinates, involving no fewer than five individuals.
“Third, using company time to handle personal matters and ordering subordinates to complete personal tasks for her.
“Fourth, publicly accusing a colleague of theft without evidence, which constitutes defamation.
“These actions are serious violations of company policy. After discussion by the management team, the decision is as follows.”
The HR director paused.
Everyone in the room seemed to freeze, waiting for that final word.
The HR director continued, “Termination of employment contract, effective immediately.”
Bethany stumbled back.
She snapped, “N–No way. You can’t do this to me. I’ve been at Averon Group for six years. I’ve closed so many deals for this company. You can’t-“
“Your performance bonuses will be paid out as usual,” Ralph said. “But your behavior will not be tolerated here for another day.”
“Ralph!” Bethany suddenly shrieked. “What gives you the right? Just because you’re the boss, you think you can fire anyone on a whim? I’m filing for labor arbitration. I’m suing you.“
“Be my guest.” Ralph’s tone was completely flat. “The investigation report, chat logs, and witness statements are all right here.
“If you file for arbitration, all of this will be presented to the arbitration panel. How do you think they will rule?”
Bethany went limp, collapsing into her chair as if all the strength had drained out of her.
She turned to look at me.
The eyes that once held so much pride now brimmed with fear and despair.
“Katherine…” Bethany’s voice was scratchy, like sandpaper. scraping glass. “Why didn’t you say anything sooner? Why didn’t you ever tell me who you were?”
“Did you ever ask?” I said. “You never cared who I was. All you saw was my bag, my face, everything you thought an intern shouldn’t have. And then you decided I was guilty.”
“I…” she tried to speak.
I said, “When you locked me in the records room, did you ever think to ask who I was?
“When you spread rumors about me stealing in the company group chat, did you even care to find out the truth?
“When you made me buy your coffee, pick up your dry cleaning, and walk your dog, did it ever occur to you that I’m a human being too?”
Bethany opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
“Ms. Weber,” I said, “I don’t need your apology. But I want you to remember this. Not everyone will put up with you forever.
With that, I turned away and didn’t look at her anymore. Ralph patted my shoulder. “Let’s go home.”
I followed him to the elevator.
Behind us, Bethany’s hysterical cries and the sound of things smashing filled the office.
But that had nothing to do with me anymore.
As the elevator doors closed, I heard a sound from the twenty–fourth floor that had been waiting to break free for ages.
It was applause.
Applause from more than forty people.
I had no idea who they were applauding.
Maybe it was for me.
Maybe it was for themselves. The people who had been bullied, oppressed, and humiliated by Bethany for years but had never dared to speak up.
Today, they didn’t have to hold back anymore.
Three days later, Bethany’s workspace was emptied.
No one was there to say goodbye when she left.
I heard she stood outside the building for a long time before finally calling a cab and vanishing into the city traffic.