C232 No One Wanted To Bring Them

The atmosphere inside the Director's office became unusually quiet. The I couldn't help smiling proudly. "My wife..." "You're planning something." She smiled mischievously. "Of course." I leaned forward. "So..." "You've decided not to fire them?" She simply smiled. "You'll find out during today's board meeting." I laughed helplessly. "You really enjoy keeping secrets from me."

She tilted her head proudly. "I learned from the best investigator in Scotland." "Grandpa." We both laughed. The heavy atmosphere inside the office immediately became lighter. After a short silence, I looked at the clock hanging on the wall. "Wife..." "There is something I want to ask you." She looked up. "What is it?" "Won't you miss me tonight..." "Since I won't be spending the night with you."

Her eyebrows immediately knitted together. Instead of answering my apology, she frowned. "Why are you changing the subject?" She crossed her arms. "We're discussing company matters." "Help me think." "We'll talk about tonight after work." I couldn't stop laughing. "So..." "My answers also have to wait until this afternoon?" She pointed a finger at me. "Exactly." "No escaping." I raised both hands. "I surrender." We both laughed again.

Looking at her smiling face... Seeing those beautiful dimples appear on her cheeks... My heart quietly melted. No matter how many times I saw that smile... It always made me forget every worry. After a few seconds, another question suddenly came to my mind. "Wife..." She looked at me. "Yesterday..." "What exactly did you mean when you said we're moving out?" She blinked. "I've been wondering about it all night."

I scratched the back of my head. "Did you change your mind?" "Do you want us to buy our own apartment again?" She stared at me for several seconds before bursting into laughter. "You really don't know how to be patient." "I wanted to surprise you." She shook her head dramatically. "But now you've ruined the surprise." I immediately protested. "I didn't ruin anything." She smiled before sticking out her tongue playfully. "If you really want to know then come back tonight." "Otherwise i am not telling you."

I sighed dramatically. "My wife has become so cruel." She giggled. "I prefer the word mysterious." Her laughter filled the office. At that very moment... A gentle knock sounded on the door. "Come in." The office door slowly opened. Faith carefully stepped inside carrying a thick stack of files. She looked noticeably nervous. "Director..." "The financial reports you requested." Alicia immediately looked surprised. "Faith?"

She stood up. "Why are you bringing them?" "Aren't these supposed to come from the Finance Department?" Faith lowered her head. "Director..." "No one wanted to bring them." Alicia frowned. "What do you mean?" Faith looked embarrassed. "The Finance Department staff were..." "...afraid." Alicia blinked. "Afraid?" Faith nodded carefully. "They said..." "They didn't want to face you." I couldn't help asking, "Why?"

Faith swallowed nervously. "They've been saying..." "...that Director Smith is ruthless." "They believe you forced Finance Manager Charlie Kinlore to resign without even confronting her." Alicia looked completely confused. "Me?" "I wasn't even in the company yesterday." "How could I possibly force her to resign?" Faith smiled awkwardly. "I tried explaining that..." "But no one believed me." "They said...""If someone as powerful as Charlie left immediately after opposing you..." "...then nobody else would survive."

Alicia exchanged a helpless glance with me before sighing. "Rumours really spread faster than the truth." Faith nodded. "There is something else..." Alicia immediately noticed her hesitation. "What is it?" Faith took a deep breath. "Director..." "Charlie wasn't just the Finance Manager." "Inside the department..." "She acted like she owned the place." I frowned. "What do you mean?" Faith answered honestly. "She openly favoured certain employees."

She looked at Alicia. "Those she liked received promotions, bonuses and easier workloads." "But those she disliked..." "They were constantly criticised." "They were transferred." "They were even bullied until some eventually resigned." Alicia's face gradually became serious. "That's an abuse of authority." "Why didn't anyone report her?" Faith gave a bitter smile. "No one dared." "Everyone feared her." Alicia asked quietly, "Why?"

Faith hesitated once more before finally answering. "Because..." "...her cousin is one of the leaders of the Harris family." The office instantly fell silent. I slowly looked at Alicia. She looked back at me. Neither of us spoke for several long seconds. Finally Alicia asked, "The Harris family?" Faith nodded. "Yes." "Although she's married into the Kinlore family..." "She's originally from the Harris family." Alicia slowly exhaled. "So that's why..."

Faith looked confused. "Director?" Alicia shook her head. "Nothing." "Thank you." "But..." "Why didn't you tell me this sooner?" Faith looked frightened. Her hands began trembling. "Director..." "You never asked." For a brief moment... Alicia simply stared at the frightened young woman. Then... A warm smile slowly appeared on her face. "It's alright." "You've helped us more than you realise." "Thank you, Faith." "You may return to work."

Faith immediately bowed slightly. "Thank you, Director." The moment she left... Silence once again filled the office. I slowly closed the door before turning toward Alicia. "Everything is finally starting to make sense." "But Charlie is already gone." "We've lost the chance to question her." Alicia rubbed her forehead tiredly. "The deeper we investigate..." "The more enemies we seem to uncover."

She sighed softly. "How am I supposed to rebuild this company..." "...when I don't even know who I can trust?" I walked over and gently held both of her hands. "You can trust me." She looked into my eyes before smiling. "That's because..." "If you ever start doing something bad..." "I'll personally beat you." I laughed. "So violent." She smiled mischievously. "I'm only violent toward naughty husbands."

I gently pulled her into my arms. "And I'll make sure you never have a reason." She rested her head against my chest, letting out a quiet breath. Despite the endless stream of bad news... Despite the hidden enemies waiting in every department... I silently promised myself that no matter how difficult the road ahead became... I would never allow Alicia to carry those burdens alone.