Chapter 4 Does it have to be this way

Sally swallowed her words and stormed out of Edmund's office. She had no pretty words, she only had curses for him.

At lunchtime, she sat with Derek again, eating. She was angry, and poked her salad with her fork as though the vegetables had offended her.

"If the carrots were human beings, I am sure they would have cried out for mercy by now. What is eating you up?" Derek said.

"Oh! I do wish I could poke him so hard and make him cry for mercy. It is the least he deserves now," Sally spat, frowning.

"Girl, you are feisty. Who hurt you, your boyfriend? Did he break your heart? You can tell me," Derek said.

Sarah shot Derek a sharp look. "Boyfriend? I wish. It is your horrible boss that annoys me. He thinks he can make my life a living hell just because I work for him. He is such a pain. I would not mind smacking that good for nothing a hundred times. That is the least he deserves after all he has done to me."

Sally would have continued to pour out her pain, but she heard a voice of warning behind her.

"Do you speak about the head of Perfect White Group Of Companies in that manner? My boyfriend will not be disrespected by you!"

Sally turned to see who was defending her boss.

The speaker was a beautiful blonde in a colored dress that hugged her curves in all the right places. She wore expensive jewelry on her neck and had the look of a supermodel.

"I am speaking to you, aren't I? Stand up already.

Derek stood shaking, but Sally did not. What right did this lady think she had to try to push her around?

Derek tried to drag Sally's hand, but Sally shook him off.

The blonde got angrier. "So, you will not stand? Do you not feel guilty about speaking about your boss in such a condescending manner?"

People were beginning to gather and stare. Sally looked around and noticed.

She steeled her nerves. She was in a bad mood already, and the last thing she wanted was anyone to trigger her anger. "What did you hear me say?" Sally asked.

The blonde lady frowned. "You are indeed shameless. So, you want me to remind you?" The lady decided to mimic Sally and say the words in the exact manner Sally had said those words. " It is your horrible boss that annoys me. He thinks he can make my life a living hell just because I work for him. He is such a pain. I would not mind smacking that good-for-nothing a hundred times. That is the least he deserves after all he has done to me."

"And who is complaining about the boss in this company?" Everyone recognized Edmund's voice and turned.

"Jasmine, did you say that about me, honey?" Edmund asked, a look of surprise on his face. He had been feeling a little tense and had decided to walk around a bit. Then, he had stumbled on this scene and heard Jasmine's words.

Jasmine's face turned red. "No, honey. I was just repeating the words this worker said about you. I just want her to admit her mistake." Jasmine walked over to Edmund and held his hand.

"Honey, you are like the sun to me. I will say nothing against you. She is the culprit here. She made slanderous remarks about you." Jasmine pointed to Sally.

Sally was calm. "Can you prove what you just said? Or, because I work here you think you can bully me? You tell me rise to my feet as you please?"

Jasmine gasped, "Oh my! She is such a liar, honey. The man that sat beside her heard everything. He can tell you." Jasmine looked at Derek. "Come on, tell your boss the truth, and I promise you will get rewarded for doing the right thing."

Derek shook his head and said, "I know nothing."

"How dare you?" Jasmine shot.

Finally, Sally rose to her feet. "Miss Jasmine, you cannot buy everyone with your money. And you cannot frame anyone either without proper evidence. He who asserts must prove. Am I right? Or, do I have no rights because you are richer than me?"

"How dare you?" Jasmine pointed at Sally. Her face heavy with anger. Then she turned to Edmund. "Honey, do not let me be humiliated like this. Give me justice!"

Edmund was enjoying the drama, but he finally spoke. "Sally and Jasmine, let us go to my office for further enquiry into this matter. I hate a public scene." He turned and left. The two ladies followed him.

The three of them entered the elevator, and there was an odd silence between them. Edmund could sense the tension between the two women and could almost cut it with a knife. This would be interesting, he thought.

Jasmine's eyes roamed all over Sally. Sally was a bit pretty but dressed like students who read till they dropped in college. Jasmine assumed Sally to be a very boring person because of the way she was dressed.

The elevator door opened, and Edmund stepped out.

"Quit scanning me with those eyes of yours. It is not like they have lasers and can bore holes in my skin," Sally mocked as she stepped out of the elevator. Jasmine's face burned.

They entered Edmund's office. Edmund was already seated. "You ladies took a while."

Jasmine sat opposite Edmund, and Sally just stood. "Have a seat," Edmund offered. Sally sat.

"Jasmine, please tell me your grievances."

Jasmine narrated everything again.

"She cannot prove anything," Sally responded.

Edmund thought about it. "Well, Jasmine, do you have any evidence?"

Jasmine was stunned. "Honey, do you not believe me?"

Edmund replied, "Of course I do, honey. I always believe you. But I cannot mix business with pleasure. Every allegation must have proof. If not, it is your word against hers."

Edmund turned to Sally. "You just got employed here two days ago. The least you can do is stay out of trouble."

That seemed to ring a bell. "Is she the new employee whose office is near yours?"

"Yes," Edmund replied. Jasmine recognised the foe Edmund's secretary had described. It was Sally