Rising Above Scandal

"For real? Did I do anything like that? I can't seem to recall anything… I must've been kidnapped! Come with me to the police station as a witness, Lisa. I'm going to report this!"

As soon as I said that, the colleagues who had been quietly watching suddenly lit up with interest. Some even leaned behind their computers, secretly recording the scene.

The air grew tense.

Lisa started to panic and quickly apologized, "I was just joking, Ms. Jones. Please don't take it personally. You should focus on your work and your sales instead."

She even pretended to slap herself and wailed, "I'll apologize. Can you let this go?"

Her husband, Henry, chimed in to smooth things over. "Yes, Ms. Jones. Lisa just likes to gossip for fun. She didn't mean anything by it. Please don't take it seriously."

I laughed sarcastically on the inside. Everyone had taken those nasty rumours about me seriously.

There was no way I could sweep the harm I suffered under the rug by just saying it was nothing more than gossip.

I pulled out the photo I had ripped off the wall of fame, which someone literally wrote dirty words on.

Lisa looked guilty as she avoided my gaze.

"Lisa, you must be telling the truth! Everyone knows I was drugged and did something I don't know! Be my witness and bring the criminal to justice! Otherwise, the other ladies in the company might get harmed too!"

"It's my fault, Ms. Jones. I spread those rumors without thinking. You're always busy, right? Don't be bothered by such small issues," Lisa replied.

Henry quickly added, "Ms. Jones, I'll find out who wrote that and give them a good lesson. Let's just drop this today so we can all focus on our work."

"No way!" I sneered.

Lisa frowned. "What else do you want?"

"The damage has been done. They might do something more ridiculous in the future, like insulting me in front of me or resorting to violence! You don't want me distracted from bringing in money for the company, do you? Apologize to me in front of everyone and compensate me for the emotional harm you caused."

Lisa scowled as soon as I spoke.

"Anna Jones! You're really pushing it now, aren't you? I've been putting up with you because you're the top performing salesperson. Don't you ever pressure me by the boss, or I'll expose your nasty stories!"

Henry sneered, "Lisa apologized. If you keep pushing, I'd start to think you're targeting my wife on purpose."

The two of them teamed up as if I, the victim, was the one in the wrong.

I pretended to be furious and grabbed Lisa's arm. "Clear my name, or else, I'll take your words as a fact that I messed around with those men. Tell me the details or I'll sue you for defamation!"

Lisa completely lost her temper.

"I checked the front desk records myself! You and the boss went on that business trip last Friday, and you returned to the Crownford Hotel in the afternoon. Several big clients went to your room that day. You know best how you got all the sales. Don't act all innocent now!"

She looked at me with a smug expression of disdain. However, she was not aware that Henry's expression grew darker as she spoke.

Lisa grew even more pleased as I kept silent.

"You brought it on yourself!" she exclaimed.