The next day, Sunday, the doctor discharged Tina from the hospital. Nancy helped her move back home, and everything seemed to be gradually going back to normal.
A week later, Tina had resumed her studies and returned to her normal life. Meanwhile, William focused on his company and investigated what Tina had said about his secretary and her coursemate, Lilian. It wasn't long before Lilian was arrested and punished.
William's Company
Inside the boardroom, Juliet stood opposite her boss, shivering. "Sir, I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to do what I did. I had no idea I was going against company policy."
William shook his head in disbelief. "You tried seducing me twice, and I gave you one last chance. But now, you're leaving this company. You cannot work next to me with this attitude. Not only are you tarnishing my name with your actions, but you're also damaging the reputation of this company."
He raised his voice, and everyone in the room tensed in their seats. Juliet tried seducing the CEO twice? That's disgraceful. Didn't she value her job? The staff members exchanged glances, each thinking the same thing, but none of them dared to speak.
Juliet lowered her head, her face flushed with embarrassment, as she picked up her dismissal letter from the desk.
"It's a good thing you've dismissed her," the Vice President, an older man in his 60s, said, turning to William. "Now, I'll employ her."
"I'm the CEO of this company, and I want her out. This is my company," William replied firmly.
The Vice President, unfazed, continued, "I'm also a major shareholder of this company and the Vice President. Don't worry, she won't have to accompany me on company trips, so she won't affect the business. She will, however, be my personal assistant—both at home and sometimes at work. If she goes against company policy again, you should hold me responsible."
William looked at the Vice President, then turned to Juliet, and finally to the other staff members.
"I think you should consider this as giving her a second chance after her years of service to this company," the Vice President said, almost as if negotiating rather than trying to challenge company policies.
"You have to understand this, Mr. Mensa," William said, addressing the Vice President. "This company has policies that must be obeyed by every staff member, including me, the CEO. These policies are in place to ensure fairness and professionalism, and we cannot make exceptions."
Everyone is treated fairly. She can work with you, as you say, but my problem is that an intern came here to study for three months. For the entire three months, she had to take the stairs from the first to the eighth floor under her supervision.
She was tasked with cleaning and running errands that had nothing to do with her purpose here. Her purpose here was to learn, not to be a slave. We are growing a company with an outstanding reputation, not some jungle."
Juliet dropped to her knees, pleading, "Sir, I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to go against the companies policy. Please forgive me, I won't do it again."
William shook his head. "The only way you will stay in this company, while working as Mr. Mensa's personal assistant, is by climbing those stairs for 65 days. On no account are you allowed to take the elevator. If not, you can go with Mr. Mensa to his house and never show your face here again." The staff members looked at each other, nodding in agreement. Her actions had been unacceptable.
After a long silence, Juliet nodded her head in approval. "Thank you, sir. I will do that. I... I will take the stairs for 65 days." She was upset and embarrassed, but she knew she had no other choice. The meeting was dismissed, and everyone returned to their work, fear building in their hearts.