Chapter 4 Caught in His Own Lie

"I need to get a picture for Instagram," Megan said enthusiastically.

However, the excitement in the pantry died the moment I opened the boxes.

There were no gift baskets, nuts, fruit, or even a single gift card. Instead, cheap Thanksgiving cookies, each wrapped in flimsy plastic with a label so faded it was barely readable, greeted their eyes.

Jake's grin disappeared. "What the hell is this?"

Linda picked up a cookie and turned it over. "Seriously? This is all we're getting?"

"Didn't you say you'd try to get us what we wanted?" Megan asked with a frown.

Eric gave a bitter laugh. "We've got over 200 employees, and all we get is one lousy cookie each?"

Everyone turned to me, waiting for an explanation.

"The budget was 100 dollars," I said calmly. "That's all I had to work with."

That was all it took to set everyone off again.

"100 dollars? Seriously?"

"I thought that was just for samples!"

"You'd better not have pocketed the rest!"

"There's no way these cheap cookies cost 100 dollars!"

I stood there and let them complain. There was no point explaining myself just yet. After all, the person I was really waiting for hadn't shown up.

Sure enough, Simon pushed his way through the crowd a few moments later. He took one look at the boxes, and his face darkened.

He wasted no time pinning the blame on me, just like he had in my previous life.

"Leo, what the hell is this? Didn't I tell you to do a good job? And this is what you came up with?" Simon barked in displeasure.

I looked at him, saying nothing. For a moment there, I felt as though I'd been transported back to the nightmare that had been haunting my dreams. It was the same scene, the same accusations, and the same trap. Fortunately, I knew exactly what he was up to this time around.

So, I said, "Mr. Brant, you only gave me 100 dollars to work with."

Simon immediately raised his voice, acting as if I'd just said the most ridiculous thing he'd ever heard. "100 dollars? Leo, are you seriously going to stand there and lie to everyone? I gave you 10 grand!"

The pantry went dead silent.

Everyone looked at me as their expressions changed. Their confusion quickly turned to doubt and dislike. Some even seemed eager to see what would happen.

Things were unfolding just the way it had in my previous life.

…

Meanwhile, Simon was still putting on a big act. His eyes even started turning red, as if he was really hurt by what I'd done.

"Leo, you're just an intern. I've done nothing but look out for you all this while. How could you do this to me? That money was for everyone's Thanksgiving gifts!"

He shook his head, sounding even more upset.

"You could've spoken to me privately if you were having monetary problems. I would've helped you out! But stealing the entire Thanksgiving gift budget? How could you?"

Just then, Kate arrived. She stopped at the edge of the crowd, looking furious. "What's going on here?"

Simon immediately turned to her, his face flushed with anger. "Ms. Dugan, I personally handed Leo 10 grand in cash to buy Thanksgiving gifts for everyone. And look what he bought! Now, he's even claiming I only gave him 100 dollars!"

Kate shot me a cold look. "Leo, what do you have to say for yourself?"

I didn't answer her right away. Instead, I looked at Simon. "Mr. Brant, are you really sure you gave me 10 grand?"

His expression faltered for a split second before he let out a mocking sneer. "Seriously, Leo? You're still trying to pin this on me?"

I ignored him and asked again, keeping my voice calm. "Think carefully, Mr. Brant. Did you give me 100 dollars or 10 grand?"

His jaw tightened. "10 grand! How many times do I have to tell you?"

By then, Kate had clearly had enough. She took out her phone, looking grim. "If we can't solve this, I'm calling the police."

I nodded. "Go ahead."

…

The police arrived 30 minutes later.

After hearing both sides, one officer asked me, "Did you get 10 grand in cash from Simon Brant?"

"No, officer," I replied. "I only received 100 dollars."

"He's lying!" Simon immediately cut in. "I handed him the money myself!"

The officer looked at me again. "Do you have any proof to back up your statement?"

Finally!

That was exactly what I'd been waiting for.

In my previous life, it had been my word against Simon's. I'd tried everything I could to convince people I was telling the truth, but no one had believed me.

This time, I had something I hadn't had before.

I didn't reply. Instead, I pulled out my phone, opened the recording I'd saved, and pressed play.

A moment later, Simon's voice rang out as clear as day.