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Chapter 153
Chapter 153
Madison
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Alexander took screenshots of their faces, his jaw clenched. He emailed the images, then picked up his phone again.
“Laura, I need you in my office immediately. I’m sending you images of three employees who need to be identified and brought here. It’s regarding a harassment issue.” He listened for a moment. “Yes, now. It’s urgent.” He hung up and turned to me. “Laura Taylor, head of HR, will handle this p>
I nodded, suddenly feeling nervous. This was escalating quickly, and while I appreciated Alexander standing up for me, I wasn’t sure I wanted to face my anonymous bullies.
“What exactly are you planning to do p>
Alexander’s eyes flickered to mine, a hint of amusement cutting through his anger. “Curious to know, Ms. Harper p>
“Not curious,” I corrected, straightening my posture. “Just wondering what you’ll do with them.” I gestured toward the frozen images on his screen. “It seems like a lot of trouble for some juvenile notes p>
“You’ll know about it soon enough p>
Before I could press further, a sharp knock interrupted us. Alexander called for them to enter, and Laura Taylor, head of HR, stepped in. Behind her trailed three sheepish–looking employees.
I recognized the man immediately as Lincoln Chen from Digital Marketing. Beside him stood two women I’d seen around the office but never spoken to. The blonde with the high ponytail from the video fidgeted with her bracelet while the brunette stared at the floor as if hoping it might swallow
her whole.
“Mr. Knight,” Laura began formally, “I’ve brought Lincoln Chen, Elliana Peterson, and Brianna Winters as requested p>
The trio stood awkwardly like children called to the principal’s office. Lincoln kept glancing between Alexander and me, his Adam’s apple bobbing nervously. Elliana, the blonde, had lost all the bravado she’d displayed in the security footage, while Brianna looked like she might be sick.
“Thank you, Laura,” Alexander said, his voice cool and professional. He turned his computer monitor toward the group. “Do you know why you’re here p>
Lincoln attempted a casual shrug that came off more like a nervous twitch. “Not exactly, sir p>
Alexander clicked play on the security footage. The three watched themselves sneaking around my
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desk, placing notes, making crude gestures, and laughing. With each passing second, their faces grew paler.
When the video ended, Alexander leaned back in his chair. “Would anyone care to explain this behavior p>
Silence stretched across the room. Finally, Elliana cleared her throat. “It was just a joke, Mr. Knight. We didn’t mean anything by it p>
“A joke,” Alexander repeated flatly. “Ms. Peterson, would you mind reading one of these ‘jokes‘ aloud?” He pushed one of the crumpled notes toward her.
Elliana hesitantly picked up the paper, her cheeks flushing as she skimmed it. “I’d rather not, sir p>
“No? Then allow me.” Alexander took the note back. “‘Does Mr. Knight prefer his assistants on their backs or knees?‘ Hilarious, isn’t it? Or how about this one?” He picked up another. “‘Heard Alexander Knight likes his assistants to practice oral presentations under his desk p>
Lincoln looked like he wanted to disappear. Brianna had tears forming in her eyes.
“It was just a prank,” Lincoln mumbled. “Office humor p>
“Office humor,” Alexander echoed, his voice dangerously soft. “Ms. Harper, do you find these notes humorous p>
All eyes turned to me. I straightened my shoulders, refusing to appear intimidated. “Not particularly, no p>
“No,” Alexander agreed. “Because harassment isn’t humorous. It’s unprofessional, inappropriate, and grounds for immediate termination p>
The word “termination” hung in the air like a guillotine blade. Brianna let out a small gasp.
“Mr. Knight, please,” she said, her voice trembling. “It was stupid; we know that now. But we didn’t think p>
“That’s evident,” Alexander cut in. “You didn’t think about how your actions might affect Ms. Harper professionally or personally. You didn’t think about the hostile work environment you were creating. You didn’t think about Knight Industries‘ zero–tolerance policy for workplace harassment p>
Lincoln stepped forward. “Sir, I understand this looks bad, but-
“It doesn’t look bad, Mr. Chen. It is bad.” Alexander stood, commanding the room with his presence. “I promoted Ms. Harper to project manager because she’s exceptionally qualified for the position. She works harder than anyone in this building, stays late, and delivers results that exceed expectations. The implication that she earned her position through sexual favors is not only false but deeply offensive to both of us p>
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I felt a flush of pride at his words, mixed with embarrassment at being the center of this drama.
“We’re sorry,” Elliana said, looking directly at me for the first time. “Really. We got carried away with office gossip and took it too far p>
“Apologies are a start,” Alexander said. “But actions have consequences p>
Laura Taylor, who had been silently observing, stepped forward with her tablet. “According to company policy, this level of harassment warrants immediate termination p>
The three exchanged panicked glances.
“However,” Alexander continued, “I believe in second chances when they’re earned. Here’s what’s going to happen. First, you will each personally apologize to Ms. Harper. Then, you will send a company–wide email taking responsibility for your actions and apologizing for contributing to a hostile work environment p>
Lincoln nodded eagerly. “Yes, sir. Absolutely p>
“I’m not finished,” Alexander said. “You will also be suspended without pay for two weeks, during which time you will complete sensitivity training with HR. Upon your return, you’ll be on probation for six months. Any further infractions, no matter how minor, will result in immediate termination. Is that clear p>
The three nodded vigorously.
“Good. Now, I believe you owe Ms. Harper an apology p>
They turned to me, faces flushed with shame. Lincoln spoke first.
“Ms. Harper, I’m truly sorry for my behavior. It was immature, inappropriate, and disrespectful. You’ve earned your position through hard work, and I had no right to suggest otherwise p>
Elliana stepped forward next. “I’m sorry, Ms. Harper. What we did was cruel and unprofessional. It won’t happen again p>
Brianna wiped a tear from her cheek. “I’m so sorry. There’s no excuse for what we did. I hope you can forgive us someday p>
I nodded, keeping my expression neutral. “Thank you for your apologies p>
Alexander gestured to Laura. “Ms. Taylor will help you draft your company–wide emails, which I expect to be sent before the end of the day. You’re dismissed p>
Laura ushered the subdued trio out of the office, closing the door behind them.
As soon as they were gone, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. “Well, that was intense.
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Alexander’s stern expression softened slightly. “Was it too much p>
“No,” I admitted. “It was… fair. Actually, more lenient than I expected from you p>
He raised an eyebrow. “You thought I’d fire them on the spot p>
“The thought crossed my mind p>
Alexander returned to his seat. “I considered it. However, public humiliation combined with the fear of losing their jobs will be more effective in changing behavior than simply firing them. Besides, the company–wide email will send a message to anyone else considering similar ‘pranks p>
I couldn’t help but smile. “That’s diabolically clever p>
“I prefer ‘strategically merciful,‘” he replied with a hint of humor. “Are you satisfied with the outcome p>
I considered the question. Part of me wanted to downplay the incident to prove I could handle office politics without running to the boss. But another part was grateful that Alexander had taken it seriously, that he’d defended not just my honor but my professional capabilities.
“Yes,” I said finally. “Thank you for handling it.
He nodded, then glanced at his watch. “The development team meeting starts in five minutes. Will you be ready p>
And just like that, we were back to business. I appreciated how Alexander could shift gears so seamlessly, treating the harassment issue with appropriate gravity while not letting it derail our day.
“I’ll be ready,” I assured him, moving toward the door. “And Mr. Knight? Thank you for saying those things about my work. It means a lot p>
Something flickered in his eyes – perhaps warmth or something deeper I couldn’t quite name. “I only stated facts, Ms. Harper. Your competence has never been in question p>
I nodded and slipped out of his office, feeling oddly buoyant despite the morning’s drama. For all the complications of our arrangement, at that moment, I was grateful to have Alexander Knight in my
corner.
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.