Chapter 136:
By noon, Allison had no appetite for lunch.
Perhaps Kellanâs breakfast had been too satisfying.
The sight of the sandwiches in the cafeteria now made her feel almost queasy.
Deciding to clear her head, she grabbed a coffee and a boxed lunch, then made her way to the rooftop for some fresh air.
But as she reached for the fire door, muffled voices stopped her in her tracks.
âAimee, youâve really switched sides fast.
The senior employees are so disappointed in you.
We taught you everything when you started here, and now you act like this?â A mocking female voice echoed.
Allison looked up and saw it was Thea.
Her eyes narrowed.
Thea, part of the same group that had spread rumors and provoked her recently, was now targeting Aimee.
She pulled out her phone and hit record, zooming in on the scene unfolding beyond the door.
Aimee stood surrounded by several people, their expressions a mixture of ridicule and disgust.
Marc, sneering, spoke with unrestrained contempt.
âWe all know youâre from some poor, struggling family.
But trying to play both sides wonât get you anywhere.
You need to understand whoâs really in charge.â He crossed his arms and smirked.
âAllison only got this job through connections.
You think Mr.
Lloyd will keep her around when heâs done with her in a few months?â
A chorus of jeers followed from the onlookers.
âSo, Aimee, what makes you so special? Kissing up to Allison wonât get you far.â
Thea spat on the floor, her sneer deepening.
âExactly.
Youâre just a two-faced little snake.
And you know what? Allison doesnât even care about you.
Youâre nothing to her.â
Allison zoomed in further, her gaze hardening.
Aimeeâs clothes were smeared with food stains, and discarded dishes littered the ground around her.
It became painfully clear â someone had thrown their lunch on her.
Aimee stood with her head bowed, strands of hair falling across her face, hiding her expression.
She looked small, broken.
Allisonâs mind flashed back to Aimeeâs recent habit of changing clothes multiple times at work.
At the time, Allison had thought it was just Aimee being overly meticulous.
But now, she understood the truth.
Aimee had been enduring this harassment quietly, day after day.
And yet, despite the torment, Aimee had found the courage to warn her.
Allisonâs expression turned ice cold.
The level of bullying was far beyond unacceptable.
Marc loomed over Aimee, his face twisted in malice.
âYouâve got a lot of nerve reporting me.
Do you really think I wonât find ways to make your life a living hell?â He raised his hand menacingly, preparing to strike.
Aimee shut her eyes, bracing herself for the blow, like she always did.
But it never came.
Marcâs wrist was suddenly seized, held in an iron grip.
âWho do you think you are, raising a hand to her?â Allisonâs voice was sharp, slicing through the tension like a knife.
Marc turned slowly, stiff with fear, his eyes locking with Allisonâs.
The look in her eyes â cold, murderous â made his blood run cold.
âI⦠I wasnât⦠It was just a joke between friends!â Marc stammered.
Allison didnât bother replying.
With a swift, controlled motion, she flung him aside.
He hit the floor hard with a dull thud, groaning as he clutched his wrist, now bruised from her grip.
For a moment, Marc lay there, stunned.
The strength sheâd used was terrifying â far beyond what he had expected from her.
Allison bent down and gently brushed away food remnants from Aimeeâs clothes.
âItâs alright now.
Iâm here.â Her voice was calm but cold, her gaze flickering over the group with shocking intensity.
âAnd what do you all think this is? Some playground for your petty, backstabbing games? Unfair workplace competition is one thing, but openly bullying a colleague?â Her voice sharpened, cutting through the air like ice.
âThat crosses a line.â
It was the first time since joining the company that Allison had lost her temper.
âDo I need to remind you that youâre adults? This isnât high school.
If Aimee presses charges, youâll all be looking at harassment lawsuits.
And trust me, you wonât like the outcome.
A few nights in jail could be the least of your problems.â
.
.
.