Mr. Sterling stopped immediately. He had hoped that Lana Wane and Eric Woods, the new CEO would be comfortable with the judgment he passed.
'Who wouldn't love such judgements,' he thought. 'The rich are always happy with such judgements and he doesn't think they wouldn't be comfortable.
But as it stands now it feels like she doesn't approve of it with the way she called out to him.
Even the already dispersing crowd began to gather once more to hear what she was about to say.
"Look! It's Lana Wane. She wants to have a say in the matter."
"Oh my God! I hate this woman already. What position does she hold in the company, by the way?" Kate queried. She doesn't want her to ruin the situation.
"Shsss, Mom. That's rude." Alisha told her mother.
Lana then said, "Nice judgment Mr. Sterling. But I think it's not so nice at all."
Mr. Sterling was agitated. "Sorry? Miss?"
Kate's face turned red.
"I said it! This woman is about to jeopardize everything." a supporter of Mr. Sterling whispered.
"Because she's richer than Mr. Sterling and she thinks she can oppose his judgment."
She took a few steps closer to where James was standing and continued, "Hmm. I think this man here deserves worse than that."
'What?' Mr. Sterling heaved a sigh of relief. He had imagined that Lana would ruin his judgment by saving this Man, just as she once mistakenly did in the police station.
On that day, he could remember vividly that Morris Huggo told him that he believes James and Lana have a connection which they are hiding and needs to be investigated.
He had given Morris some money and told him to pay some group of stalkers to stalk and put an eye on James and Lana's whereabouts.
But now he just realized that that was a waste of time and money because this woman had nothing to do with this pauper.
James heaved a sigh of relief too because he thought that Lana was about to reveal him to everyone and then foil his plan.
'Not bad,' he thought.
Lana then continued, "He shouldn't be sacked. Instead, he should be made to face worse than that."
"What do you have in mind then, Miss?" Mr, Sterling asked Lana with a mischievous smile crossing his face.
"He should be made to work in this company without payment for a year before being sacked. By then, we would be satisfied that he has compensated for his insolent behavior towards a customer. And all his income for that year would be given over to the woman." She concluded and pointed her finger to Kate.
Kate was beside herself with so much Joy. She couldn't believe what just happened.
'All his payment for the year would be transferred over to her? This is incredible," she thought.
Instantly, she developed a liking for Lana. "I love this woman so much."
A very loud murmur swept through the crowd. Everyone began to talk about the whole judgment.
"Quiet everyone!" Morris Huggo shouted. He has a deep voice and a huge physique like that of a bouncer and people are always afraid of him.
The crowd became quiet again.
"This is a very wise judgment, Miss. You're wise above your age. Impressive." Mr. Sterling said to Lana.
"It's for the good of the company," she replied.
Mr Sterling, then turned around and said to everyone.
"We have all heard what Miss Wane said and I think it's the best decision so far. We will no longer sack this fellow, but we'll let him pay for his misdeeds by working without payment in this company for a year. Is that clear?"
"Yes it's." Everyone said and the murmur continued.
"Please, Madam please!" James and Anderson went on their knees and began to beg Lana as she walked out with Mr. Sterling and Eric.
When Morris Huggo saw James and Anderson following them behind, an idea immediately crossed his mind.
With the intention to please Lana Wane, he dragged James and Anderson and swung them over his shoulders and dropped them at the foot of the staircase.
He then ordered two security guards to carry James and Anderson back to his private office.
"Take them to my office."
They obeyed and carried James and Anderson to his private office while he followed behind them.
When Alisha saw him give the orders, she left her mom and immediately followed them.
"Stop!" She ordered.
Morris Huggo heard her and turned immediately to face her.
"Madam." He said with fear while forcing a smile.
"Where are you taking him to?"
"To the Janitors quarter. Miss Lana's order." He lied.
He knew that Alisha would ask to see James but he wanted to humiliate James and Anderson in his personal office right away.
"Bring him to my office." Alisha ordered.
"Wha…" Morris asked her. He hated the fact that he had to be under the control of the Carl's family because of the secret they held against.
"I hate to repeat myself, Morris," Alisha interrupted him.
"Miss Lana would be mad at…" Morris Huggo tried to oppose her.
"Now!" She yelled at him and began to walk to her office.
The security guards looked at Morris and he nodded.
They both carried James and Anderson to Alisha's office.
James couldn't understand the reason while Alisha was able to control Morris, Mr. Sterling's right hand man, just now.
He knew something was off but he didn't know what it was.
When they got to the entrance, Alisha saw Anderson and a frown formed on her face.
"Not both of them, you idiot!" She yelled again.
Morris Huggo was silent. His mind was boiling within him already but he just managed to control himself.
"Take this other fellow to my office," he managed to say to the other security guards carrying Anderson.
Inside, James noticed that the office was different from last time.
It was a well-furnished manager's office with tasteful decorations, and a neatly organized desk.
Comfortable leather chairs, potted plants, and elegant lighting added to the beauty of the office.
Alisha was standing at the foot of the desk, but when he was brought in, she sat down on the Manager's chair.
"Sit." She said to James.
"No, thank you." He replied and then asked, "What do you want from me?"
She ignored him and then asked, "What should I offer you, then? Water? Wine?"
"I said what do you want?!" He asked again. This time, almost shouting.
She scoffed. "Want?" She stood up from her seat and strides over to where James was standing and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Yes." He replied.
Alisha thought James would remove her hands but he didn't.
"I want you to go to the ESU barracks and get Jaxon and Henry released."
"Anything else?" He asked.
At this point, Alisha was pissed off. she removed her hands from his shoulders.
James used to be loving towards her but after what has happened quite recently his attitude towards her changed completely.
She didn't believe he would react this much, the more reason she went ahead with the divorce.
"Look James. Why are you doing this to yourself? Why are you starting a fight you can't win. Everyone is against you in this company, even Lana Wane."
"Is that why you brought me here?"
"I care about you, James and that's the reason I wanted you to leave immediately. But now see what you've caused yourself."
"Care you say," he scoffed back at her. "Why do you care about me? My life and whereabout is non of your business. Okay?" He shouted at her.
"Very well, then. Whatever you see, you deserve it. Get out of my office." She yelled at him.
James waited for a moment. He knows Alisha still loved him and cared about him but, but he also knows that she loved her work and ambitions much more.
He wanted to hold her and call her sweet names like he used to. He wanted to kiss her like he used to, and do crazy things with her..
But in as much as he wanted to, he can't because she broke their love in two and he doesn't think it could be amended ever again.
He walked out.