Chapter 365
Brielle didn’t hesitate for a moment before she turned off her phone. Once it was off, she logged onto her computer and checked her WhatsApp, only to discover that it wasn’t just her phoner number that had been leaked; her WhatsApp was blown wide open, too. She was bombarded with new contact requests, and the accompanying messages were filled with curses and vitriol
This was a premeditated cyber assault. And it wasn’t just a virtual threat. If she didn’t address it soon, it could escalate into real–world violence.
Brielle skimmed through the messages in the group chat and saw that someone had taken a screenshot of Sarah’s cry for help..
–Help.
Just those two terse words, and silence thereafter. It seemed like it was Sarah who had stirred up the online mob.
But something didn’t add up. If Sarah merely wanted to use public opinion to force her out, why send a “Help” message in the group? Was Sarah planning to play the victim and then pin everything on her?
With that thought, Brielle didn’t second–guess her next move – she called the police.
Reporting the incident now was a smart move. There were surveillance cameras outside her house. It something had actually happened to Sarah, she had the perfect alibi.
Besides, stirring up online opinion would only incite strangers to morally grandstand and curse her, which wouldn’t physically harm Brielle in any way. She never cared about the opinions of these faceless masses.
Moreover, she had checked with HR, and Sarah hadn’t handed in her resignation. It looked like she intended to stay at Dorsey International. As long as Sarah remained at Dorsey, she was bound to slip up.
So Brielle calmed down quickly, took a relaxing shower, had dinner, and then sat down at her computer to deal with company business.
Before going to sleep, she texted Max a simple – Goodnight. She didn’t mention the ordeal she was going through. Max didn’t reply, but Brielle didn’t wait for him. She just drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, when Brielle arrived at the office, she found the place buzzing. People in the elevator gave her strange looks. No one wanted to stand near her. They all preferred to crowd together than to be too close to her.
Brielle was quite content with the space. As she stepped out of the elevator, she even flashed them a smile.
The elevator crowd grimaced, and whispers followed.
Chapter 365
“How can she still smile after all that?”
“Well, why can’t she smile? She’s a Director at Dorsey International. That leaked footage of her is actually against Sarah’s interests. If Brielle wanted to clean house, wouldn’t it be a piece of cake?”
“Are we sure the video was leaked by Sarah? She seems pretty naive, and she’s staying at Dorsey International. Picking fights with the higher–ups isn’t going to win her any favors.”
“Heh, power trumps all, doesn’t it?”
Because of the video portraying Brielle’s overbearing behavior and Sarah’s pitiful weeping, people had already formed a negative opinion of Brielle. The more they saw her unbothered demeanor, the more repulsive they found her. This only fueled the rumors.
When Brielle entered her department, she noticed the gloomy expressions of her colleagues. They had all been part of that infamous dinner and knew the real story.
However, in the corporate world, they were just minor players. On the internet, their voices were insignificant. So, they faced Brielle with a mix of shame and guilt. Those who hadn’t dared to speak up for Brielle now couldn’t even meet her eyes.
Brielle clapped her hands, her demeanor as professional as ever. “Let’s pull ourselves together, folks. Morning routines, remember? If you’ve got reports to review, get on it. Don’t let the outside chatter get to you.”
Her words were like a pebble tossed into still waters, making ripples that forced everyone to truly see Brielle for the first time. Before, they had grumbled about her youth and how she didn’t deserve her position. But now, the difference was clear.
The office tried to mumble words of comfort to Brielle, but she just smiled and pointed to the clock on the wall. “Work time.”
Reluctantly, everyone turned back to their tasks, some slapping their cheeks to bring their focus back to the present.
That morning, the gossip spread like wildfire throughout Dorsey International, except in Brielle’s department, where everyone was busy working.
The peace was shattered just before lunch when a scream tore through the department. A bloody box was knocked over, spilling its gruesome content – a dead rat – onto the floor. The stench of decay filled the air.
“Ugh,” someone gagged, while others pinched their noses.
This package had been addressed to Brielle, and a colleague was on their way to deliver it to her office when the grim discovery was made. Besides the rat, the box was teeming with writhing maggots.
Brielle stepped out of her office and immediately called building maintenance. As soon as the mess was cleaned up, the elevator dinged open, and a group of people stepped out. The woman
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leading them locked eyes with Brielle, her face contorted with resentment.
