Chapter 14

“What nonsense!”  Ava yelled in anger.

 Coming back from her trip to hear the buzzing lies about Emily was not something she could have ever imagined.

 Her body vibrated with anger.

“I'm going to fish out whoever started this trend of lies.” 

  Emily sighed from her seat. “You can't, it's anonymous. That's the basic purpose of the gossip site.”

  Ava scoffed loudly, “Oh Please, it's nothing a hacker can't dig out. I'll teach the idiot a lesson.”  

  “Please don't, it will only  make things worse.”

 Ava softened at her friend's words. 

   “But I can't just let them bully you and get away with it. I need to make an example out of someone.” 

   Emily let out a small smile. “I can take care of myself.” 

   Ava scoffed, “Fine but I'll be releasing a statement.” 

      It was lunchtime when Ava's statement was released.

  Before then, Lydia felt high on the success of her little scheme.

  She gloated in satisfaction watching the whole canteen talk about Emily. 

   Many people from other departments had since joined their lunch table in hopes of getting first hand gist about Emily.

 

   “I can't believe she walks around with an innocent face when she is like that.” 

 

  Someone spoke to Lydia's hearing.

  “Innocent looking girls are the worst.” Another added. 

   “I knew there was something fishy about her since I first set my eyes on her. She has that backstabbing look.” 

   The gossip and charters were brought to a stop by a sudden yelling.

  “Miss Hasting has released a statement.” 

   The hall erupted in excited charters as people rushed for their phones.

  Lydia’s face brightened up in satisfaction. She couldn’t believe her hard work had yielded such quick results.

Unlike the others, she didn't rush for her phone.

  What was the point? After all it would certainly be news of Emily’s termination from the company.

  In just a few seconds, the canteen erupted in commotion. She was unable to stop herself from grinning while her ears strayed alert to hear the identity of Emily's lover. 

   

  “Can you believe this?” 

   “ I can't. Who would have thought that Miss Hasting and Emily are friends.” 

    Lydia's smile was wiped off in a flash. “What?” 

    “Yeah, I feel bad for whoever started that rumor. Their days in this company are numbered.” 

  “Did you say numbered? Forget it, their days are over. Everyone knows Alex Hasting doesn't play about his sister, he might come for their heads.” 

   Lydia felt her heart break in fright. With shaking hands, she grabbed her phone and began to search for the released statement.

  

   She felt her brain go dizzy as she read;

  “It has come to my notice that employees of this company belong to a gossip forum that has been used to spread false rumors about an employee of this company. I am appalled by these distasteful actions. 

  I personally hired and begged my good friend, Emily Byrce, to join this company. It's disheartening that some one could spread such lies about a person of her character. If anyone has a problem with her employment, then they can come to me. Similar incidents shall not be tolerated in the future and shall lead to the shutting down of the forum as well as fishing out the culprits.” 

   She couldn't bring herself to read the rest  of it. 

  Emily and her Boss are friends? 

  The chilling information replayed over and over again in her head.

         The canteen was anything but hot, yet she began to feel beads of sweat dripping under her garment.

  If the rumor was traced back to her, she could very well kiss her rising career goodbye.  

   For the first time in ages, she found herself gripped by fear.

   

   The News of Ava and Emily's friendship spread like wildfire, somehow becoming a source of excitement.

     “If she's friends with Miss Ava, does that mean she has a close relationship with Mr Alex?” 

  “I heard she's Miss Ava’s best friend.Of course she’ll have a close relationship with Mr Alex. Gosh!! I'm so Jealous.” 

  Emily stepped into the office just in time to catch the words, and couldn't help but wonder in amazement at how people were able to fabricate tales from their imagination.

   Everyone went silent as soon as they saw her yet their eyes remained fixed on her every move. 

  She had barely sat still for five minutes before Anna slowly dragged her legs to her.

   “Emily,” she called, unsure of what her reaction would be.

   Emily raised her brow in questions yet gave a polite response. “Anna.” 

   Anna drew in a sigh of relief and began to ramble at once.

   “Emily, I'm sorry for not asking you about the matter. I should…..”.  

   Before Anna could finish, Sean chimed in from beside them.

   “Yes Emily, I'm sorry too. I should not have doubted you for a second. Please forgive us. We’re deeply sorry.” 

   Emily silently eyed them before speaking out.

    “If Miss Ava didn't defend me, will neither of you have come to apologize?”

   Both bowed their heads in shame, including some of their colleagues who could overhear their conversations.

   Emily continued. “I hope this is a lesson to you and others. Don't spread lies and rumors about people. And don't judge them by what others have told you.” 

    

      From the other side of the office, Lysia watched the show with boiling blood. 

    Her eyes remained fixed on Emily with growing hatred until the buzzing of her phone pulled her away.

  It was Sophie. 

   Lydia grabbed her phone and bounced out of the office.

   “Did it work?” Sophie eagerly asked as soon as she picked up. 

   “No,” the heavy word slipped out. 

 

   “What?  What happened?” Sophie asked in irritation, trying not to explode in anger. 

  “She’s friends with my boss.” 

     “What?” 

     “She’s good friends with Miss Hasting and was defended by her. Miss Hasting has promised to fire anyone who spreads more rumors about Emily.” 

  Before Sophie could make sense of everything, Lydia added.

  “Look, I’ve gotta go now. But you need to see something.” 

      Sophie felt her hands tremble as she stared at the photo of Emily and Wesley.

   She smashed the phone on the ground and let out a loud shrill.

   

   Sophie Parks who was in the kitchen making her a hot porridge ran dashed towards her precious daughter.

   “Sophie” she called loudly with a panicked expression.

    Sophie continued to scream.

   Susan trembled in fear.

   “Sophie, what's wrong? Is it the baby? Should I call 911, should I call Wesley?” 

   As soon as Sophie heard Wesley’s name, She burst into loud wails.

   Susan’s heart crushed to see her child like that.

She quickly cuddled her,  “What’s wrong baby? Did he hurt you?” 

  “I'm going to kill her, I'm going to kill her.” 

   “Kill who, baby? What are you saying?” 

     Like a deranged person, Sophie yelled. 

   “I'm going to destroy you, Emily. I will ruin  you.”