All Chapters of The Wedding Leave Backlash and My Comeback: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

Ainsley Castillo's act of playing the victim totally won over the comments.[Oh my God! Look what they've driven her to!][And she is still so polite to that vixen?][Paige Russell, you're inhumane! You've driven your employee to the brink!][Lawyers, team up and sue her for abusing her power!][She's just jealous! She can't get married herself, so she won't let her employees tie the knot.]My image as a jealous witch was sealed in an instant. My assistant, Chloe, and a few other employees spoke up to defend me."That's not how it is!""It's Ainsley's fault.""Ms. Russell didn't mean it that way."Their quiet rebuttals got picked up by the mic, and the live chat blew up immediately.[Did you hear that? She's threatening her employees!][Those women are chiming in to back her up.][Oh God, this company is terrifying! Full of villains!][They have been brainwashed! Still defending her?][Is this some kind of cult company?]My personal phone buzzed like crazy on the desk.

The board issued a public statement: [Due to Paige Russell's egregious personal conduct, which has caused irreparable damage to the company brand, by unanimous board decision, effective immediately, she is removed from her CEO position, and all her shares are frozen.]I got fired from the company I founded. The news hit, and the internet celebrated.Ainsley's wedding happened on the same day. She live-streamed the whole thing, with viewership breaking ten million.She wore an expensive custom gown and flawless makeup, basking in her life's peak moment.In the stream, a viewer brought me up. [What happened to your toxic boss? Is she dead?]Ainsley covered her mouth, faking sympathy. "Oh, guys, don't bring her up today. It's my big day. I actually feel bad for her; she's got nothing left now."Her eyes gleamed with smug challenge on camera. "If she thinks I faked documents or lied about anything, she can totally sue me."She chuckled, "I'm waiting for her lawyer's letter."The ch

With the facts staring her down, Ainsley couldn't argue. The panic on her face vanished, replaced by a twisted rage.She screamed, "Paige Russell! You're just jealous of me!"She pointed at me, her finger shaking. "Jealous that I'm getting married! Jealous that I'm happier than you!"She threw a tantrum, trying to muddy the waters. "You're wrecking my wedding on purpose, you toxic bitch!"She turned to the camera, crying out, "Everyone, be the judge! Even if I have just started, can't I get married? Her company is uncivilized! She just has it out for me! Deliberately making things hard for me!"She tried twisting the rules issue back into a moral one, stirring up viewer emotions.I didn't yell back; I just calmly faced the camera. "These rules apply equally to everyone. Probation or full-time, all must follow. It isn't personal, but you used public opinion to attack the company and me. That's sheer slandering.""Shut up!" she shrieked, turning to the groom and grabbing his arm.

The day after the wedding fiasco, the company's legal team and Victoria's lawyers filed lawsuits simultaneously.Online opinion flipped one-sided. Ainsley's exploits became the net's new punchline.The evidence was solid and complete, so the court moved fast.A month later, the verdict came. The court ruled Ainsley guilty of malicious defamation, fabricating facts, inciting cyberbullying, and severely damaging my company and my reputation. She must post a pinned apology on all major social platforms' homepages for 30 straight days.And she was asked to compensate for my losses and mental damages to Victoria and others, totaling 1.8 million dollars, which she couldn't pay.To make things worse, the wedding planner, the hotel, and the sponsor's penalties piled up—another huge sum.Soon, for failing to comply, she got listed as a deadbeat, restricted from luxury spending, riding planes or trains, and borrowing loans.Donovan had ghosted her since the next day of the wedding. Word w

After the storm, the company's reputation bounced back stronger.Our "sticking to the rules" style became a golden sign, attracting those who shared our values."I applied after seeing that wedding stream. Ma'am, your actions were awesome!" said a newly-joined programmer.The better news? Victoria and Chloe returned after it all settled."Paige, we still wanna work with you," Victoria said emotionally on rehire day.I nodded with a smile. "Welcome home."Chloe scratched her head. "I'm sorry for ever doubting you, Ms. Russell.""It's all in the past," I said smoothly. "Look forward.""This is our home," Victoria added.The team reunited, and everyone fired up."Let's have dinner together, my treat," I announced.The office erupted in cheers.I reflected on my management style, realizing that rules needed firmness and communication needed transparency. For that drive, I pushed for clearer policy postings and added employee care channels.At the all-hands, I declared, "We don