"Xenia, what is wrong with you?" Mr. Jones seized the opportunity, pointing an usatory finger at her. "How could you do something so despicable for your own selfish reasons? Do you have any idea the consequences of your actions?"


    "Ms. Woods was lucky she wasn''t seriously hurt. If she had been, ten of your lives wouldn''t be enough to pay for it!"


    Xenia stumbled back, bowing repeatedly. "I''m so sorry, I''m so sorry! I just couldn''t stand seeing how Hannah treated her. I honestly didn''t think it would turn out like this. I''ll resign, and I''ll cover all of Ms. Woods''s medical expenses." Tears streamed down her face as she spoke.


    "I''ll go apologize to Hannah, too. I''m so, so sorry. It was all my fault. Please, Mr. Rosenberg, don''t me Ms. Woods. She only did it because she believed my lies and let me persuade her."


    Her apologies echoed in the office. Her voice grew hoarse, but Lionel remained silent, so she didn''t dare stop.


    Mr. Jones, seeing his chance, chimed in. "Mr. Rosenberg, this is a failure of my management. It''s a good thing she came forward on her own, otherwise Ms. Woods would have been unfairly med."


    Lionel slowly raised his eyes to look at her. "Are you certain you were the one who persuaded her?"


    The sheer force of his presence was crushing. Xenia trembled, her head bowed so low her chin nearly touched her chest. She couldn''t look at him, she could only nod frantically.


    Mr. Jones took a deep breath and continued his tirade against Xenia. "You are a huge disappointment! Mr. Rosenberg, how about this? I''ll make her go to Hannah and apologize. A full ny-degree bow. If that''s not enough, she''ll get on her knees and beg for forgiveness! Because of what you did, Hannah was misunderstood and Ms. Woods was hurt. You should be ashamed!"


    "I''ll go kneel and apologize to Hannah," Xenia sobbed. "I beg you to spare me, Mr. Rosenberg. Please, give me another chance."


    Lionel''s gaze returned to the security footage. His face was grim. After a long moment, he stood up. "Go and apologize now."


    This whole mess had caused Hannah to misunderstand Sandra. The sooner it was resolved, the better.


    "Yes, sir!"


    Xenia watched Lionel leave. The moment the door closed, her legs gave out and she copsed to the floor, gasping for air.


    Mr. Jones let out a long sigh, sinking


    into his chair, his forehead beaded


    with sweat. "That was close. You


    were quick on your feet, or we both would have been done for," he said downing a ss of water. "Hurry up and arrange a meeting with Hannah. After this is over, I''ll transfer you to one of my other firms."


    "Yes! Thank you, Mr. Jones!"


    Once they were gone, Mr. Jones immediately called Sandra to report on the situation.


    When Hannah arrived at the private room in the tea house, she saw Lionel and Xenia already waiting. She had a pretty good idea what this was about.


    The moment she sat down, Xenia rushed over and dropped to her knees before her.


    "I''m sorry, Hannah! It was me! I


    misled Ms. Woods into thinking you had abandoned the case, hat''s


    what caused all of this all the


    misunderstandings between you. It was all my fault. Please, don''t me Ms. Woods."  s?novels


    Hannah''s longshes fluttered. She picked up her teacup, blew gently on the steaming liquid, and took a small sip. "You persuaded her?" she asked calmly.


    "Yes."


    "Where? On the phone? Show me the chat logs. Or was it at the office? A coffee shop? What date, what


    time? Are there security e


    Let''s put the footage