Page 32 of Leafpoint Lighthouse

“And the final undertaking. Serena? The name?”

Serena smirked. “Danish Dreams.”

Cale closed his eyes.

“It is actually called Dream Designs. And you’ll find it under DD. You’ll find all files are in alphabetical order by project title. Not under the client’s name or the word ‘The’,” I stated. Serena was deathly pale now. This had backfired hugely on her.

When Mark held the final file up, the office was waiting with bated breath. I remained terrified at the confrontation, and Joseph realised that. He placed a comforting arm under my elbow.

“I believe an apology is warranted,” Joseph said.

“Kindly come this way,” Mark replied in a stilted tone.

“Oh no, we’re not sweeping this grave insult to my client under the rug. A public one, please. As you accused Miss Jasper publicly.”

Mark ground his teeth and sent Serena a murderous glare.

“We are very sorry about the accusations and slur on your reputation,” Mark forced out.

“Everyone else?” Joseph raised an eyebrow, facing Helen, Cale, and Serena. I smiled serenely as they apologised.

“Thank you for your time; again, we apologise,” Mark announced and turned away.

“Excuse me, we haven’t finished,” Joseph declared, and Mark turned back with a frown.

“What?”

“My client is suing for workplace bullying, breach of privacy, false slander, and a multitude of other employment law breaches,” Joseph stated. One of his colleagues stepped forward.

“This is notification of the suit Miss Jasper is bringing against you and a list of the charges.”

“This is rubbish! Lyra acted most unprofessionally. She up and quit without notice because her boyfriend had broken up with her and began dating someone else!” Helen exclaimed.

Joseph held up his phone, and I steeled myself. The whole horrible scene played out again, and Mark and Helen paled. Everyone in the office looked away. They’d witnessed it the first time.

“That happened here?” Mark gasped.

“Yes. Those present right now participated. They bullied a young woman, highly humiliating and embarrassing her. We have other evidence proving that Lyra was doing Serena’s job and Serena was taking credit for it.”

Helen looked at the paperwork Mark had thrown at her.

“We’ll settle out of court,” Mark said.

“No, you won’t. Your employees are to be publicly named, shamed, and forced to testify about what bullies they were.”

“You’ll ruin my company!” Mark exclaimed.

“Like Cale and Serena tried to destroy me,” I whispered.

Mark looked at me and paled. “Lyra…”

“Nobody learns a lesson if this is swept up and forgotten. Wealth can’t buy everything. The hurt they caused cannot be smoothed over with money. Public apologies can’t erase the humiliation they dished out. Your work atmosphere is toxic because of several people. Joseph knows what I want. Collaborate with him, and maybe you can avoid court. If not, I’ve the funds and inclination to drag you into a very public scandal. How long do you think you’ll keep your clients then?”

With that, I turned and sent Serena and Cale a scornful look. I offered Helen a disgusted glance. “Despite my warnings to check CCTV and investigate, you didn’t. I said you’d regret this. Some HR manager you are.”

With that, I walked away. I had to get home. I needed my haven.

When drama hit, it seemed to keep rolling. I climbed out of my vehicle and, high heels sinking into the deep snow, trudged towards the entrance.