Chapter 26: The Rat in the Walls

 

Sebastian sat in his study, the tablet screen glowing in the dim light. The hashtag #CinderellaExposed was dying down, replaced by the wave of support from his "Savior" post. But his anger hadn't faded.

Knock, knock.

Liam walked in. He wasn't wearing pajamas today. He was wearing a sharp grey suit, looking every bit the acting CEO. He held a file in his hand. His face was grim.

"We found the rat," Liam said, tossing the file onto Sebastian's desk.

Sebastian opened it. It was a technical report from the IT Security team. Source of Leak: Internal IP Address, Sterling Corp Headquarters. Device ID: HR_Manager_Terminal_04. User Logged In: Dennis Pang.

"Dennis," Sebastian read the name. It sounded familiar.

"He's an HR manager," Liam explained. "And apparently, he's Harper's neighbor. He's been bragging in the office about how he 'knows the maid personally'."

Sebastian’s eyes narrowed. The neighbor. The one Harper mentioned—the "Badminton Guy." The one who "did her a favor."

Sebastian flipped to the next page. It was a log of Dennis's activity on the recruitment system. Three months ago, a file named "Harper Evans - Project Planning Application" was accessed by Dennis. Action: Move to Domestic Staff Pool. Note: Candidate unsuitable for corporate. Better fit for manual labor.

Sebastian closed the file. The sound was like a gunshot in the quiet room.

"He didn't just leak her photo," Sebastian said, his voice terrifyingly calm. "He stole her future."

Harper had a degree. She was qualified. She wanted to be a Planner. But this petty, jealous man had decided to play god and turn her into a maid just to stroke his own ego.

"What do you want to do?" Liam asked. "Fire him?"

Sebastian looked up. His eyes were cold steel. "Firing him is too easy. If we just fire him, he'll find another job." "I want him erased."

---

[The Execution]

Sterling Corp Headquarters. 10:00 AM.

Dennis was sitting in his comfortable office, sipping coffee. He was in a great mood. He scrolled through T*****r. Sure, Sebastian had defended Harper, but the damage was done. Everyone knew she was just a maid now. She would be too ashamed to show her face.

"Serves you right, Harper," Dennis chuckled. "That's what you get for rejecting me."

Suddenly, the office door slammed open.

Dennis jumped. "Hey! Knock fir—"

He froze. Walking in was Liam Sterling, the acting CEO. Flanked by the Head of Legal and four security guards. The entire office floor went silent. Everyone stood up.

"Mr. Sterling!" Dennis scrambled to his feet, buttoning his jacket. "What an honor! To what do I owe this..."

Liam didn't look at him. He looked at the Head of Legal. "Read the charges."

The lawyer stepped forward, holding a document. "Mr. Dennis Pang. You are hereby terminated effective immediately for Gross Misconduct, Data Privacy Violation, and Corporate Espionage."

"What?" Dennis went pale. "Espionage? I didn't..."

"You accessed the private personnel file of a Sterling employee and leaked it to the public media," the lawyer continued. "That is a criminal offense."

"It... it was just a prank!" Dennis stammered. "It was just Harper! She's just a maid!"

"She is a valued member of the Sterling staff," Liam stepped forward, his voice booming across the office. "And she is my brother's personal guest."

Liam leaned in, his face inches from Dennis's. "And we know what you did to her application. You sabotaged a qualified candidate because of a personal grudge."

Gasps rippled through the office. Co-workers were whispering.

"Security," Liam snapped.

Two guards grabbed Dennis by the arms.

"Wait! You can't do this!" Dennis screamed as he was dragged away from his desk. "I know labor laws! I'll sue you!"

"Go ahead," the lawyer handed him a thick envelope. "This is a lawsuit from Mr. Sebastian Sterling for Defamation. We are suing you for $5 million in damages. And we have already contacted the HR Association. You are blacklisted. You will never work in HR in this country again."

Dennis’s legs gave out. He was dragged out of the building, weeping, while his former colleagues filmed him on their phones.

---

[The Choice]

Back at the Villa. Harper was in the garden, watering her roses. She was trying to forget the internet comments.

Sebastian rolled out onto the patio. "Harper."

She turned, forcing a smile. "Hey, Boss. Want some tea?"

"Dennis is gone," Sebastian said bluntly.

Harper paused. "Gone?"

"Fired. Sued. Blacklisted. He will never bother you again."

Harper blinked. She felt a weight lift off her shoulders. "Wow. You work fast."

"I found something else," Sebastian held out a folder. Inside was her original resume. And a printed offer letter.

Position: Senior Project Planner. Department: Corporate Strategy. Salary: $120,000/year + Benefits.

Harper stared at the paper. This was the job she wanted. The job she studied for.

"Dennis moved your application," Sebastian explained. "You were qualified. You should have been hired for this team months ago."

He looked at her, his expression unreadable. "I corrected the mistake. You can start on Monday. You'll work at the Headquarters. You'll have your own office. You won't have to clean floors or deal with a... difficult cripple anymore."

Harper looked at the offer letter. It was a ticket back to her "normal" life. Respectable. Safe. No more "Gold Digger" insults.

Then she looked at the garden she had planted. She looked at the swing. She looked at the wheelchair ramp. And finally, she looked at Sebastian.

He was waiting for her answer. His hands were gripping the armrests tightly, betraying his nervousness. He was letting her go. Because he thought it was what she deserved.

Harper closed the folder. She placed it on the table.

"The salary is good," she said thoughtfully.

Sebastian looked away, a shadow crossing his eyes. "It is. You deserve it."

"But," Harper continued. "Does this job include free food?"

Sebastian blinked. "The cafeteria is subsidized, but..."

"Does it include triple overtime pay for weekends?"

"No, corporate staff are on salary."

"Does it include a boss who lets me cut his hair even when I make him look like a monk?"

Sebastian looked at her, surprised.

"And most importantly," Harper stepped closer, leaning down so their faces were level. "Does it include YOU?"

Sebastian’s breath hitched.

"I don't want to be a Planner, Sebastian," Harper smiled, her dimples popping. "I like my current job. I like my 'Golden Cat'. And I'm not leaving him just to sit in a cubicle."

"Harper," Sebastian warned, his voice husky. "Think about it. This is your career."

"My career is right here," Harper tapped his chest, right over his heart. "My project is getting you to stand up. And I don't leave projects unfinished."

She pushed the folder away. "Now, are you going to fire me? Or can we have lunch?"

Sebastian stared at her. The fear in his chest vanished, replaced by a warmth so intense it almost hurt. She chose him. She chose him over the prestigious job.

He reached out and took her hand, bringing it to his lips. He kissed her knuckles, his eyes never leaving hers.

"You're hired," he whispered against her skin. "For life."