Fifteen days in county jail, apensation payment of $1,500 each to Hannah and Tess, and a public apology in front of the entirepany staff.


    Hannah and Tess were very satisfied with the oue.


    "You really know how to handle things. When I tried to report him, it went nowhere," Tess remarked with a sigh.


    After all, she and Hannah had both reported James for spreading vile rumors, but the police had initially told Tess that since no "substantial harm” had been done, they could only give him a p on the wrist and make him apologize.


    But when Hannah got involved, it resulted in jail time,pensation, and a public shaming.


    Hannah smiled. “That''s because I made a huge scene and dragged our boss into it. The key was getting him involved."


    "By using me of sleeping with the boss, he was also implying our boss trades promotions for favors. If that wasn''t cleared up, it would have validated the rumor, destroyed his reputation, and hurt thepany. Next time something like this happens, don''t be afraid. You have to blow it up. Make it so big they can''t ignore it. That''s the only way the police will take it seriously."


    It was a sad truth about these kinds of nder cases; without tangible damages, they were often dismissed.


    But once it became a public spectacle, the authorities had no choice but to act.


    Tess nodded firmly. "You''re right. I''ve learned my lesson. If anyone ever tries that with me again, I''ll destroy them."


    "I don''t think there will be a next time. After he apologizes to me, he''sing to your department. The entirepany will know you''re not to be messed with. No one would be stupid enough to try something like this again, unless they have a thing for jail food."


    “Hahaha, you''ve got a point."


    "He''s here I put my phone here so you can watch how he apologizes to me. If he tries to give you some


    don''t let


    half hearted apologyter don''t. him off the hook. Make him do it right."


    Hannah started a video call with Tess, propped up her phone, and sat down to watch James take the stage.


    He scanned the faces in the crowd, suddenly feeling like they were all strangers. Just days ago, they had beenughing and joking with him, believing every word he said.


    Now, they looked at him like he was a joke. He was in this humiliating position all because of that damn woman.


    He would make her pay.


    "You''re here to apologize, not to give a speech. We all have work to do, unlike an unemployed bum like you, So please get on with it and stop wasting our time," Hannah said coolly when James remained silent for too long.


    Her words made his face darken further.


    But he knew, in that moment, that he was no match for her.


    He took a deep breath, raised the written draft in his hand, and was about to start


    reading when Hannah spoke again.


    "You need a script to apologize? If


    you''re just going to read from a


    piece of paper, it''s clear you''re not


    being sincere. And if you recall, the


    police specifically mandated a


    sincere apology."


    "I''ve never seen someone bring a script to an apology. You might as well just pass


    out copies and let us read it ourselves."