Chapter 44 Proving Innocence
"Are you sure?" I couldn't help asking one more time.
Surrounded by all these people, Elaine had backed herself into a corner. But I still left her one last opening. If she just denied everything, I'd tell the crowd it was scripted, that we'd been acting. The onlookers would probably leave disappointed, and we could both get out of this.
Back at the office, I'd pretend none of this ever happened—just chalking it up to pity for her rough circumstances.
But instead, Elaine glanced carefully at Sabrina standing at the front of the crowd. After getting Sabrina's encouraging, affirming nod, she steeled herself and spoke again. "I'm sure, Catherine. Please, just leave me alone. Stop bullying me at work, okay?"
Hearing her twist the truth like that, my ears started ringing. Horrific memories crashed over me like a flood. I was drowning in them, struggling and crying for help. There were so many people standing on the shore watching, but they all chose to do nothing. And among them were my so-called blood relatives.
How incredibly ironic.
I smiled coldly and pulled out my phone to play the recording. The crowd looked confused but fell silent, all wanting to know what the truth really was.
As the recording played, Elaine's face grew paler and paler. The onlookers' expressions shifted completely. The truth was crystal clear now.
Satisfied, I took in everyone's reactions, then shot a grateful glance at Sabrina, whose features were twisted with rage in the crowd. I really should thank her. If she hadn't framed me repeatedly when we were kids, I might never have developed this habit of collecting evidence at every turn.
Sabrina, I owe you one!
Meanwhile, Jason's gaze grew increasingly conflicted, as if he couldn't understand why I'd prepared evidence in advance.
I laughed mockingly and ignored him.
"Did everyone hear that?" I said when the recording ended. "Who's really bullying who here?" My sharp gaze swept across every single person present, finally landing on Elaine's ashen face as she sat on the ground.
"Elaine, you used your situation to guilt-trip me. When I refused, you pulled this stunt to get the mob on me. You're the one actually bullying me at work."
I didn't back down an inch. She suddenly scrambled up from the ground, staring at me with venomous eyes. "Catherine, why are you trying to ruin me?"
I almost laughed. "I'm ruining you? Didn't you create this entire situation yourself?"
But Elaine seemed to have lost all reason. "What did I do wrong? We're coworkers! Isn't helping each other what we're supposed to do? When I first asked for your help, didn't you agree? Why'd you go back on your word? I just want to stay at DI. Staying there could change my whole life. Why are you so selfish? I'm not like you, born and raised in the big city. I clawed my way out step by step, and now because of you, it's all ruined!"
She got it all out in one breath, then collapsed to the ground, completely drained.
Many onlookers had already left once the truth came out. Those who remained pointed and whispered about her, but everyone understood—I was the victim here.
I quickly organized my thoughts, preparing to set the record straight, when Sabrina found another opportunity to insert herself. "Actually, Catherine, I think she's got a point! You're so capable—even if you leave DI, you can definitely find another job. But your poor coworker here doesn't have it so easy. You can't be so selfish. You're colleagues! What's the harm in helping out?"
Her chiming in was completely expected. I looked at her coldly. When Sabrina saw she wasn't getting to me, she turned to Jason instead, tugging on his arm. "Jason, don't you agree? Catherine's been selfish since she was little. Before, she wouldn't save me. Now she won't save her coworker."
Sabrina was stating facts—from her perspective, anyway. After an internal struggle, Jason chose to back her up. This scene had played out countless times before.
My icy gaze pierced through both of them. "Sabrina, you're alive and well right now, aren't you? Where exactly do you need saving?"
Sabrina stammered, clearly guilty. Of course she couldn't tell these strangers the truth—that saving her meant being her drug trial guinea pig. Why would a healthy person sacrifice themselves so selflessly? Especially for someone like Sabrina, who wasn't even a good person.
"Jason, you're both blind and heartless. Sabrina's a scorpion," I said with a smile. "I'm really looking forward to the day you act out the scorpion and the frog."
That was my final warning to Jason. Direct and clear, though they definitely wouldn't take it seriously.
Sabrina panicked immediately. Her eyes went red as she looked at Jason with wounded innocence. "Jason, Catherine's trying to drive a wedge between us again."
Jason gently patted her head, murmuring soothing words. I couldn't hear the specifics and wasn't interested. It was better if he didn't listen to my warnings. When Sabrina's schemes finally came to light, the impact would be that much greater.
Done with them, I stepped forward and yanked the crying Elaine up from the ground. "Elaine, out of all the interns, you picked me because you thought I was a soft target. But let me tell you something—I've done nothing wrong. I'm not afraid of false accusations or slander."
"I can answer everything you just said. First, when you came to me asking for help, I told you from the start I'd do what I could. That's even in the recording. Second, other people having it better than you is never a reason for you to covet what's theirs. I have my own struggles. The DI opportunity is just as important to me. Why should I give it up just because you're pitiful? Because you're good at guilt-tripping people? Finally, I think you need to face consequences for what you did today."
With that, I dragged her out through the crowd. A burst of applause erupted behind us, but I didn't have the energy to care.
Before leaving, I noticed someone had been recording video. To prevent it from going viral online, I needed to get back to the company and handle this immediately.
I brought Elaine straight to Blake's office. "Mr. Gordon, I need to report something."
Blake jumped, startled, but recovered quickly. After hearing the whole story, he took me directly to the company's HR department.
And the worst-case scenario had already happened—the video of my argument with Elaine was already blowing up online. The PR department came looking for us too.
All three parties faced off. I presented my evidence and explained the situation clearly and systematically.