Chapter 9

The elevator doors slid open, and a woman stepped out.

It was Kinsley.

She was wearing light makeup, but her eyes were swollen.

When she saw me, she stopped in her tracks.

Charles instinctively took a step toward her.

It was barely noticeable. But people in the lobby were already starting to notice.

Kinsley immediately lowered her head. "Julia, please, I'm begging you. Don't make trouble anymore. I'm just a regular employee."

I fixed my gaze on the file bag in her hand. "Does a regular employee get to organize project approval documents for the bosses?"

Her face went pale.

Charles jumped in right away. "That was temporary assistance."

I nodded. "Then let the disciplinary committee look into it."

Kinsley's eyes welled up with tears again. "Do you really want to push me over the edge?"

I shifted to the side, making sure the lobby cameras had a clear view of the three of us. "Ms. Mercer, if you're not feeling well, go to the hospital. If you think I'm violating your rights, go ahead and sue me.

"But if you want to cry in the lobby, maybe check if the cameras are rolling first."

Her tears stopped instantly.

Charles gritted his teeth. "Julia, you're so cold-blooded."

I looked at him. "You two cry so much, and I've gotten used to your tears. I can't help but be cold." With that, I turned and walked away.

That evening, I posted the sixth video. "It's the sixth day, and I continue to apologize to Mr. Charles Pierce."

I read out the part of the court judgment about the gifts and expenses. Gold bracelet, designer bag, hotel suite, holiday transfers.

Every single word came straight from the court judgment.

At the end, I added, "Documents concerning internal management issues of Mr. Pierce's company have been submitted for review through legal channels."

As soon as the video went up, the comments section blew up faster than in the previous days.

[Looks like the company drama is kicking in.]

[She's following the rules to the letter every step of the way.]

[This isn't an apology. It's a textbook legal comeback.]

I turned off the comments and started prepping the next round of evidence.

Joint account transaction records.

The apartment under Kinsley's name.

Records of payments to Raina.

And the recordings of Charles reaching out to Lily.

I couldn't lay all my cards on the table at once.

I had to reveal them one by one.

There were soft footsteps outside the door.

Lily stood at the study door, holding a glass of water. "Mom, drink some water."

I took it from her. "Thanks, honey."

Lily looked at the stack of documents on the desk, worry flickering in her eyes. "Mom, are you going to win?"

I reached out and gently messed up her hair. "Of course."

"Will Dad be mad?"

"Yes."

"Are you scared?"

I stared at the court judgment on my computer screen.

In my previous life, I was afraid of his anger, afraid of what people would say, and afraid Lily would get hurt.

But in the end, my fairness made me lose everything.

This time, I was still scared.

But fear wouldn't fight my battles for me.

I took Lily's hand. "Even if I'm scared, I still have to do it."

Just then, my phone lit up. Anna sent me a screenshot.

Someone had dropped a notice in Charles's office group chat.

Because of the online buzz and the reports, Charles's project approval rights were suspended. He was now under internal review.

I couldn't take my eyes off those words.

Finally, for the first time, I hit him right at the heart of his power.