Chapter 373 She Cannot Come Back!
Olivia never expected that Zoey would be so crazy and reckless.
But now that things had come to this, she didn't lose her composure or rationality because of anger.
She calmly said, "After I came in today, I never opened this document again.
There's a surveillance camera behind my workstation. If you don't believe me, you can check it.
Of course, I'm not saying this to avoid responsibility.
Since there's an error in the data, as the team leader, I will still take responsibility according to the rules.
I will personally apologize to the injured team member and compensate for her medical expenses and all losses.
However, I still insist that the data was not wrong when it was in my hands. I hope you can clear my name and give me justice."
Hearing this, Zoey's eyes flickered. Before anyone else could speak, she raised her voice and said, "Olivia, are you saying that you didn't make a mistake, and that Oscar tampered with it?
He's been the last one to leave the lab every day for this project. I've seen all his hard work!
How can you blame him just to avoid responsibility?"
She acted as if she was defending Oscar.
Frank, standing nearby, angrily scolded Olivia, "You're absolutely stubborn! The facts are right in front of us, and you still dare to make excuses!
Besides, don't you think what you're saying contradicts itself?"
Olivia said methodically, "There's no contradiction. I just won't admit to something I didn't do.
If it really was done by 'someone with ulterior motives,' then they're trying to ruin my career.
I'm willing to take responsibility because this document was done by our team.
Because one set of data was wrong and delayed the overall progress, I'm willing to be responsible!"
After she finished speaking, except for Leon, the other leaders all frowned.
They all seemed very dissatisfied with Olivia's attitude.
Like Frank, they thought Olivia was making excuses.
Frank spoke even more harshly, making a direct conclusion. "Olivia, I think you haven't realized your mistake at all. You're still being unreasonable!
And to think people outside have been praising you!
It seems you're not as good as the rumors say. You're just relying on Rodolfo's protection to act without fear at the research institute!"
After scolding her, Frank looked directly at Leon and said seriously and sternly, "Dr. Banks, in my opinion, we should immediately punish her according to the institute's rules and fire her!
Otherwise, it will be hard to maintain order at our research institute in the future!"
It sounded like a righteous statement, but it was actually more like urging Leon to quickly determine Olivia's guilt and punish her.
Seeing things developing according to her plan, Zoey's eyes flashed with secret satisfaction.
She wanted to see how Olivia would get out of this one!
Olivia dared to go against her and Charlotte - she really didn't know what was good for her!
No one noticed Zoey's expression. Everyone looked at Leon, waiting for him to speak.
But Leon frowned, seeming unable to make a decision.
Seeing this, Frank was very dissatisfied and couldn't help questioning him sternly, "What are you standing there for? Are you trying to cover for her?"
That was a serious accusation.
Leon couldn't think of a way to give Olivia another chance to prove herself.
Seeing that his colleagues were all waiting for him.
Finally, he could only say, "Firing her rashly isn't appropriate. No matter what, everyone has seen Olivia's abilities.
Besides, there are indeed some doubts about this matter that need further investigation."
Frank didn't expect that after hesitating for so long, Leon would only give such a result.
Immediately, he protested dissatisfied, "What else is there to investigate? It's obvious that Olivia made a mistake herself. Are you really trying to cover for her?"
Leon and Frank had similar positions, and he wasn't Frank's subordinate, yet he was being pressured again and again. Now he was getting a bit annoyed too.
He said, "I'm just trying to retain talent, not cover for anyone. Don't you know what kind of person I am?"
Everyone present knew what Leon was like.
He was famously upright and tough-tempered.
Usually when they had issues, they didn't want to run into him, because he showed no mercy to anyone.
Moreover, Leon had spent time with Olivia recently and had interacted with her.
He had seen what kind of person Olivia was.
She wasn't someone who would avoid responsibility.
Frank knew this too.
So he softened his tone and asked, "Then how do you want to handle this matter?"
Leon already had his own idea in mind. "The research institute has its rules and regulations, but we won't wrongly accuse anyone either.
Since Olivia still insists on her version, let's suspend her first and conduct an investigation.
Until the results come out, she can wait at home for news.
If she really was wrongly accused, then I'll give her justice on behalf of the research institute.
But if she really made a mistake..."
He looked at Olivia, his eyes showing complex emotions, and said, "If she really made a mistake and still insists on making excuses, then from now on, she will be permanently expelled from the research institute and never allowed to return!"
This punishment was a bit severe.
But Leon wasn't that heartless.
After saying this, he looked at Olivia and asked her, "Are you willing to accept this outcome?"
This question wasn't just an inquiry; it also contained a hidden warning.
If she accepted, and it turned out she was wrong, there would be no room for negotiation.
But if she admitted her mistake now, Olivia would at most receive some punishment.
Olivia wasn't willing to be someone who compromised.
She said through gritted teeth, "I'm willing to accept it!"
Oscar didn't know how things had developed to this point.
He certainly didn't want Olivia to leave because of this.
So he quickly whispered advice from the side, "Olivia, you need to think this through! If it doesn't work out, just admit the mistake?
Being punished is better than being completely fired."
Olivia said with a stern face, "No need!"
If she couldn't clear her name even when wrongly accused, then from now on, she would forever be weighed down by this shame and unable to hold her head up!
She would always be laughed at!
She didn't want to accept a professional stain that didn't belong to her!
At this moment, if she backed down, she would fall right into someone's trap.
Olivia would never do that!
Seeing that she had such courage, Leon's eyes showed appreciation.
So without further ado, he said directly, "In that case, it's settled!
Olivia, go home and wait for news."
"Okay." Olivia left the leadership office with dignity.
Outside, feeling the warm sunlight on her body, Olivia felt a bit anxious.
With something like this happening, Rodolfo would definitely worry about her.
Olivia felt somewhat guilty.
Since they got back together, Rodolfo had been dragged into the center of controversy because of her every time.
She didn't know what people at the research institute would think of him after this.
"Olivia!" Oscar's voice came from behind.
Olivia turned around and saw Oscar catching up at this moment.
He instinctively explained to her, "Olivia, I don't know what happened with the data. I didn't change it!
I really didn't touch the data again last night. I hope you can believe me."
His eyes were full of seriousness and sincerity.
Looking at his sincere expression, Olivia just nodded calmly and said, "I know you wouldn't do something like that.
After I leave, they should reassign work to you all. Do your best."
After saying this, Olivia didn't wait for Oscar to say anything more. She quickened her pace and left.
Watching her back, Oscar's heart sank with a bad feeling.
But he still shouted after her, "I believe in you! And I'll wait for you to come back!"
Zoey, who had followed from behind, just happened to hear Oscar's words. Her face turned pale and then flushed, looking quite ugly.
Even at a time like this, why did he still maintain that trust in Olivia?
Was he so convinced that Olivia couldn't make mistakes?
Zoey gritted her teeth, watching Olivia's retreating figure.
The more it was like this, the more she couldn't let her come back!
She didn't believe Olivia had any way out!
Before taking action, she had blocked all of Olivia's escape routes!
Even though she had tampered with the files, she had destroyed all the evidence.
'Olivia, you'll be nailed to the pillar of shame forever! As for Oscar, it's fine that he's helping Olivia now. Sooner or later, he'll see my true heart!' Zoey thought.
When Olivia left the research institute, it wasn't even noon yet.
Since it was still early, she didn't go home but went to Rodolfo's place instead.
Only Simon was home at the moment.
"Ms. Smith, you're here?"
Seeing Olivia appear, Simon was happy at first.
Then he froze for a moment.
Having watched Olivia grow up, he could tell at a glance that her mood was off.
Simon asked puzzled, "Ms. Smith, shouldn't you be at the research institute at this time? Did something happen?"
Olivia was feeling a bit down, but she didn't hide it from Simon.
She nodded and said, "I'll tell you when Mr. McCoy gets back."
Simon rarely saw her looking so gloomy and couldn't help but worry.
But he was also afraid that being too nosy would make Olivia feel worse, so he suppressed his curiosity and silently went to the kitchen to have people prepare Olivia's favorite dishes and desserts.
He thought that maybe after eating, Olivia's mood would improve.
The morning flew by quickly.
Soon it was lunchtime.
Rodolfo hurried back from outside.
As soon as he entered, he saw Olivia sitting in the courtyard, lost in thought.
He didn't know whether to feel relieved or what.
In any case, he breathed a sigh of relief!