Chapter 4

"That is enough."

Marcus, the department director, stood at the door of the conference room. His face was dark. Clearly, he had been listening for a while.

He threw a cold glare at me, his voice heavy with authority.

"Chloe, haven't you caused enough trouble? The evidence is right in front of your face, and you're still denying it. Do you think everyone in this office is stupid?"

Sarah was the first to jump to his side, her voice screeching.

"Marcus! Thank goodness you're here. You have to see what she's done!"

"Everyone knows pregnant women shouldn't eat spicy food if they are trying to protect a male pregnancy!"

"Mia talks about wanting a baby boy every single day. She hasn't touched a pepper in months. But Chloe here decided to slip chili into her snack anyway! She ruined Mia's baby, and now she's standing here arguing!"

Justin nodded along.

"Mia is always so sweet to everyone. She works overtime even while pregnant and never bothers anyone."

"She told us so many times she couldn't eat spicy food. Chloe doing this on purpose is just pure evil."

"Exactly. Look at Mia, she's devastated. Her dream of having a son is ruined, while Chloe just stands there like a sociopath," someone added from the back.

"Why is she still employed here? Today she poisons a baby, tomorrow she might poison our coffee!"

"Fire her already. She gives me the creeps."

"Marcus, you have to stand up for Mia. We can't let good people get bullied like this."

The accusations flew like stones, one after another.

Every single one of them pretended to care about Mia, but I could see the malicious excitement in their eyes. They just loved the drama.

Marcus raised his hand, silencing the room. His voice was low but firm.

"Chloe, save your breath. The company has made its decision. You are suspended immediately. Once Mia's family figures out the medical details, we will proceed with the termination and legal liabilities."

I sat at my desk, looking at their triumphant faces.

In my past life, before I jumped off that building, it was the exact same scene.

They surrounded me, screaming insults. Marcus condemned me without a second thought. And Mia smirked while hiding in Dylan's arms.

Back then, I cried, I begged, I screamed my innocence. But nobody listened.

Now, Mia was sobbing hysterically.

"Marcus... I didn't want her to get fired... I just wanted an apology... My boy is gone, he's going to be a girl now... How am I going to face my husband's family...?"

Dylan glared at Marcus.

"Marcus, we've been trying to conceive for five years. This is our only baby, and my entire family is waiting for a grandson."

"My wife didn't touch a speck of pepper for five months, and this bitch ruined my son in one afternoon."

"We don't want to cause trouble for the company, but she has to pay. We want compensation. Otherwise, this isn't over!"

Sarah immediately chimed in.

"He's right! They tried for five years! You ruined their son, Chloe. You have to pay up!"

"A boy and a girl are completely different! Their family wanted a heir!"

Justin agreed, his tone matter-of-fact.

"Yeah, Chloe. You ruined their family's hope. You have to give them a settlement. It's better than going to jail, right?"

"Just pay them and get it over with."

"A five-month-old boy turned into a girl because of you... Who could accept that?"

"Give them the money, Chloe. Don't make it worse. If her husband keeps coming to the office to protest, you'll never find a job in this city again."

Ashley, the receptionist, took a slow sip of her tea and muttered, "Chloe, if I were you, I'd just pay. Don't make a fool of yourself."

"They struggled for years. You ruined their dreams. You think a few hundred bucks will fix this? You should pay at least thirty or forty thousand dollars."

Hearing this, Dylan instantly barked, "Forty thousand? You think my son is only worth forty thousand? We want a hundred thousand dollars! Minimum! Or I will destroy her life!"

The crowd murmured in agreement. "Yeah, a hundred thousand is fair for a son."

"Just transfer the money, Chloe. Don't let this go to court."

"You're a young girl. You still want to get married one day, don't you? If this gets out, your reputation will be completely ruined."