**Chapter 35: Clarification** The tension in the air was palpable as Pamela glared at Janet, her eyes narrowed with incredulity. Who would have thought Janet would be bold enough to make such a scene in the bustling café? “You lunatic! How dare you record me?” Pamela’s voice shot up, raw with anxiety and fury. “I was in the middle of a private conversation! You’re invading my privacy!” Her words were a frantic wail, echoing through the room as she took a menacing step toward Janet, desperate to snatch the phone from her grasp. But Janet was quick, sidestepping Pamela’s advance with a determined look in her eyes. “First you defamed me,” Janet shot back with a steely resolve. “I’m calling Mr. Lyman right now. We can settle this with him present.” With that, she stormed out of the tea room, an air of confidence swirling about her like a storm front. Janet made her way to the director’s office, her heart pounding with both fear and exhilaration. She paused before the door and rapped gently, announcing, “Mr. Lyman, it’s Lind.” The corners of my mouth tugged upwards at the sight of Janet rising to the occasion. “Come in. What’s up?” Mr. Lyman's voice came from inside, laced with faux concern as he pulled open the door, his demeanor unruffled. A slight smile graced Janet’s lips as she stepped inside. “Mr. Lyman, could you step outside for a moment? There’s an emergency you need to address.” Was she really asking for his assistance? Intrigued, I leaned forward, my throat clearing in anticipation. “Of course!” he replied, a note of eagerness threading through his words. He trailed behind Janet, only to find a crowd gathered in the corridor, murmurs lingering in the air like whispers of gossip. Among them was Pamela, her anxiety palpable as her gaze darted nervously around the group, her fists clenched tightly at her sides. “What happened?” Mr. Lyman asked, confused by the tense atmosphere surrounding them. “Mr. Lyman,” Janet began, her tone calm yet imperious, “somebody here has been spreading malicious rumors that we’re having an affair. She even claimed we spent the night together at a hotel.” As she spoke, she raised her phone high, a daring gesture that caught the attention of everyone present. The implications of what she held echoed in the crowd—almost like a loaded weapon in the court of public opinion. Everyone’s eyes widened, curiosity mingled with disbelief as they focused on Janet. Her voice carried authority as she continued, “These flirtations were borderline harassment, and I refuse to entertain this any longer.” The moment Mr. Lyman listened to the recording, his expression shifted; the lightness of the room dimmed, revealing a hard truth. Gone was the notion of him effortlessly charming Janet. Instead, she transformed from the meek woman they all assumed she was into a fierce force to be reckoned with, and he suddenly appeared small in comparison to her fiery resolve. Feigning nonchalance, he scoffed at the accusation, attempting to brush the rumor aside. “Let me be clear. Everything said in that recording is utterly unfounded. I had a meeting last night that ran until midnight. If you don’t believe me, ask my wife to corroborate. Lind and I are strictly professional.” Upon mention of his wife, the crowd erupted into hushed conversations. His attempt to downplay the scandal set unease into motion—after all, who would risk their position in the company by spreading unfounded lies about their superior? With a dark scowl, he turned to Pamela, his voice low and dangerous. “Perhaps if you invested as much time into your work as you do into gossip, we wouldn’t be in this situation. Spread this rumor again, and I will report the incident to HR. Understand?” A deathly silence fell over the group, the color draining from Pamela’s cheeks as reality sank in. She was cornered, knowing full well the consequences of her reckless actions. The following day, as Janet entered the office, a colleague seated across from her shot her a conspiratorial wink. “Did you hear? Pamela got demoted and was transferred to an insignificant department!” Janet raised an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious. “Was it Mr. Lyman's doing?” “Absolutely! You can’t slander your superior and expect to come out unscathed. Honestly, it seems he showed her mercy by not firing her. But mark my words; I don’t think Pamela will stick around the Larson Group much longer,” the colleague chorused, delight evident in their tone. A subtle smile crept onto Janet’s lips. It dawned on her that Mr. Lyman likely didn’t report the incident not out of kindness, but because the scandal could tarnish his own reputation. Turning to another coworker, she couldn’t help but appreciate their sentiments. “Lind,” another colleague chimed in, handing her a delicate pastry and patting her shoulder. “What you did yesterday was courageous. We support you completely!” A faint, warm smile pulled at the corners of Janet’s lips, a flicker of triumph brightening her day as she felt solidarity with her colleagues amidst the fallout. The atmosphere in the office seemed to shift—with Pamela out of the picture, perhaps this place would finally find a little peace.