The Fall Guy? Not This Time

I froze for a moment.Then I asked, "What made you suddenly want to go on a trip? Isn't it a bit rushed to squeeze it into just the weekend?"I'd met Simon Huck back in college. He was the only close friend I still kept in touch with after starting work. We used to travel together during long holidays.But this time, the suggestion came out of nowhere. With only two days over the weekend, a trip felt a little too tight.Hearing my concern, Simon waved it off and explained, "Come on, I just saw a post saying there's an EDM festival in Payne City this weekend. We haven't hung out in ages. We've been working like machines every day—might as well take this weekend to relax together."I hesitated. "I'm free this weekend, sure. But going to an EDM festival with you… won't your girlfriend mind? It's usually couples who go to those. It'd feel kind of awkward bringing me along."At the mention of his girlfriend, something flickered in Simon's eyes.He broke into a grin. "What's the probl

[Damn it, he backed out! What do I do, everyone? Please help!!! How can I get him to agree to come out?!]Aside from the commenters cheering him on, the same user who had first offered advice reappeared.[Does it have to be your buddy who takes the fall?][Can't you just find someone else?]Simon replied, clearly displeased: [No. It has to be him. I just don't like him. You have no idea—during lunch today, the way he acted all high and mighty pissed me off. Anyway, I want to see him socially ruined and condemned by everyone!]I stared coldly at Simon's comments. The last trace of goodwill I had for him vanished completely.After that, the other user suddenly went silent—they had likely moved the conversation to private messages.After my shower, I opened Simon's post again. This time, he sounded pleased.[Done. Got him to agree. This weekend, I'll be back with good news for everyone.]Reading that, a flicker of confusion crossed my mind.Had he switched targets?Just as I wa

The manager rejected my request on the spot. He even issued a formal notice, emphasizing that unless there were special circumstances, everyone was required to attend the team-building event.With no other choice, I agreed.On Friday morning, we set off from the company.After arriving at the venue, the first thing everyone did after getting off the bus was head to the hotel to check in and get their room assignments.I was assigned a room with another colleague.After dropping off my luggage, I stepped out of the room—and the moment I opened the door, I ran straight into Simon.He was standing right outside, staring intently at my room number. The instant he saw me, he quickly looked away. Then he broke into a smile and slung an arm over my shoulder."Tyler, you're still mad, aren't you? What happened last time was my fault. We're best buds! Don't stay mad at me, okay?"Since that day, I hadn't spoken a single word to him at work. I wasn't angry—I just wanted to use the distan

Everyone looked at me with knowing expressions.I stared straight at Simon, almost amazed that he wasn't even trying to hide it anymore.This was clearly my room—yet he was brazenly twisting the story, claiming it belonged to his girlfriend.I let out a cold laugh. "So what you're saying is—you walked your girlfriend here? But I was already drunk last night. Wouldn't you know whether I was in the room or not? And now you suddenly come out accusing me of sleeping with your girlfriend? Doesn't anyone find that strange?"Murmurs broke out among the crowd.Some people were starting to find it suspicious.Simon grew even angrier, glaring at me. "When I brought her here, there was no one inside. You must've been hiding somewhere!"And I already thought it was odd—you usually have a high tolerance, so why were you drunk so early last night? You must've been hiding when I brought Ashley in!"I had pretended to be drunk on purpose. Because I had noticed that Simon had tampered with my d

Everyone was stunned.Simon was so shaken he couldn't get a single word out. Because every sentence I'd said had struck right at his intentions.I continued, "Am I wrong? You lied to everyone about the room switch just to set me up—so I'd be humiliated, so I'd be socially ruined. You didn't even have any evidence. The moment you saw me, you assumed I'd slept with your girlfriend. That was your plan all along, wasn't it?""I didn't!" Simon shot back immediately.I pressed on, exposing him further. "Really? Then how do you explain everything that just happened?"By now, Ashley understood. Her face drained of color, then turned ashen.Suddenly, she lifted her head, glared at Simon, and lunged at him, knocking him to the ground as she straddled him."Simon! You set me up?!"She had long, manicured nails. When her hand struck his face, it left several bloody scratches.Simon could no longer keep up the act. He shoved her off with force."Damn it—how dare you hit me?!"Ashley crie