Her colleagues agreed, chiming in one after another.


    "Yeah, really! You didn''t need a script when you were spreading lies, so why do you need one to apologize?"


    “You''re such a talker, right? Put the script away. Come on, get on with it.”


    "Hurry up and apologize! We''re all busy people, not like you unemployedyabouts."


    The crowd''s words rained down on him, grinding his dignity into the dust.


    He took several deep, shaky breaths, trying to regain hisposure.


    "I am here to offer my most sincere and earnest apology to everyone, and especially


    to Hannah. I should not have spread those disgusting rumors. I shouldn''t have ndered her. I sincerely apologize to Hannah and hope she can forgive me."


    Silence fell after he spoke. After a moment, everyone instinctively turned to look at Hannah.


    Hannah sighed and looked up at him. “That''s it? That''s all you have to say?"


    He knew from her tone that she was not satisfied.


    "I already apologized. What more do you want me to say?"


    Seeing his defiant attitude, Hannah scoffed. “When you were spreading those rumors, you were incredibly detailed—you had the time, the ce, the specifics of how everything supposedly happened. But when ites to an apology, all I get is one sentence? If you''re not willing to do this properly, we can just go back to the police station."


    “No, no, I get it! I''ll do it right, I''ll exin,” he stammered.


    He clenched his fists, took another deep breath, and finally began.


    "A few days ago, in the breakroom, I ndered Hannah by starting a rumor that she was sleeping with our boss. That was a lie. The truth is, I was infatuated with her and asked her out, but she rejected me.”


    "I was humiliated, so I acted out of


    anger and made up that story. I


    should never have spread those lies


    to defame here


    sincerest


    hereby offer my and hope that


    Hannah can find it in her heart to


    forgive me."


    After hearing that, Hannah nodded, finally looking somewhat satisfied.


    "I''ve already spoken with Tess, and she saw how you apologized here. When you go to her department, if you don''t apologize in the same


    manner, she will not forgive your ne


    And


    as long as one of us doesn''t ept your apology, your sentence could be extended. You should think that over carefully. Don''t say we didn''t warn you, understand?"


    His face turned ashen at her words, his eyes wide with disbelief.


    He knew this woman was vicious, but he never imagined she would be this ruthless. She was backing him into a corner with no way out.


    "Alright, there''s nothing more to say here. Go on, get over to Tess'' department and apologize properly."


    James ground his teeth as he stepped down and walked out of the office.


    As he was leaving, he heard Hannah''s voice call out from behind him.


    “And if you''re feeling resentful and thinking about getting revengeter, feel free to try. If you think you''ve got what it takes. I''ve been in a terrible


    moortely, and I have all the time,


    in the world to y games with you."