Accused of Seduction, I Turned the Tables

...To protect my performance bonus, I swallowed my frustration and obtained the complainant's number.The line went through, and a familiar, venomous voice rang out. "So, you've finally got the guts to call me, Jennifer Sargent. Tell me, did you sleep your way to manager?"This customer had been a nuisance all morning, and now she was spreading vile rumors. My temper flared, but I kept my voice steady. "Miss, I've already refunded your smoothie. We've never met. Why did you file a complaint against me seducing your boyfriend?""Never met?" Her voice turned shrill. "I'm Lauren Miller, Matteo Velez's girlfriend, and you're trying to steal him!"Her words made me laugh. Matteo was the courier she'd insisted on for her order. I had called him in to help. That was all.Lauren's tone grew colder. "Cat got your tongue? Matteo took a sick day to bring me breakfast and avoid you, you old hag. He wouldn't touch you with a ten-foot pole!"Finally, her words irritated me. My voice hardened

I snatched Matteo's phone and ended the call, cutting off Lauren's toxic demands.Rubbing my throbbing temples, I said, "Don't worry. I'm not doing that. Everyone, back to work."...The drama faded into the chaos of the next rush.During a break, a man with a headquarters badge stormed in. His eyes swept across the room before locking onto me. "Jennifer Sargent? I'm James Wilson, head office supervisor. Do you realize what you've done? Seducing a customer's boyfriend and ignoring her reasonable requests? Because of you, we've got hundreds of complaints!"Incredulous, I pulled over Matteo and pointed at his uniform. "She demanded my staff write pledges and asked Matteo to strip in public. Is that reasonable?"I pulled out a stack of refund receipts, each scrawled with Lauren's address and vicious notes.[Jennifer, you hung up on me? You're finished!][You little tramp, think you can defy me? I'll shut down your shop!]Shaking with anger, I glared at James. "She is disrupting o

...Tom, flanked by suited bodyguards in sunglasses, exuded an air of authority. If I didn't know better, I might've believed his act.Lauren stomped her foot, whining, "Dad, why are you stopping me? Someone is impersonating me! If we don't stop her, she'll walk all over us!"Tom patted her shoulder, soothing her. "Relax, sweetheart. With me here, no one is messing with you."Lauren lifted her chin and pointed at me. "Then fire this tramp who tried to seduce my boyfriend. Look, she is still holding him! Dad, I'm not being unreasonable. I warned her, but she ignored me. She even texted you, probably trying to flirt."I ignored them and turned to a rattled Matteo. "Why are you so scared of her? I get that you're worried about your mom, but you don't have to grovel. Without my permission, no one is going to cut off her medicine."I'd been anonymously supporting Matteo since I came of age. His father died young, and his mother worked herself sick to keep him in school.I couldn't be

I sighed, piecing it together. "That must be him. Dr. Nance, please handle this and keep looking after the patient."Leonard agreed, and I hung up. Matteo collapsed to the floor, tears streaming down his face.I ruffled his hair gently. "It's okay now. Go see your mom."As I helped him up to leave, Lauren broke free from Tom and charged at us like a wild animal. "Who said you could touch my dad's car? Do you know how much it's worth?"James joined in, yanking us back. "You're out of your mind! You couldn't afford a scratch if you sold yourself!""Really?" A deep, steady voice cut through the chaos, followed by a protective command. "Jennifer, smash that car. I'll buy you ten better ones."...My dad, Steven Miller, stood behind me, his eyes glinting with icy fury. Seeing him made the sting from Lauren's slap flare up, and my eyes welled with tears."Dad," I cried out.He spotted my swollen cheek, his expression darkening. "Who hit you?"I pointed at Lauren, who stood defiantl

So, Steven had sent Tom to run errands, never suspecting the latter would impersonate him, swaggering through a dozen small companies, including the smoothie shop, and pocketing bribes.The mansion Lauren lived in? Bought with Tom's dirty money.I sighed, shaking my head. "Driving fancy cars and living in a mansion. No wonder Lauren was so sure she was an heiress."My mom rolled her eyes. "A crow with peacock feathers is still a crow. Taking bribes? They belong in jail!"Steven nodded grimly. "We're gathering evidence."Just as I was about to speak, my phone rang. It was the headquarters again.Last time, they'd grilled me about Lauren's ridiculous accusations. This time, they were groveling to the real heiress.James's voice was meek. "Miss Sargent, I messed up today. Curse me, hit me, do whatever you want—just please, convince Mr. Miller not to pull the investment. We really need it."I paused, then said firmly, "No. This investment was my idea. I won't back a company that bu