Michael looked at Jasmine and said, “This must be Mrs. Shawn. We are having a meeting. You can’t
simply join in even if you’re the wife of Mr. Shawn. Please leave!”
Jasmine walked past Boyce and placed the box of ‘apples’ onto the table and said, “I am aware that as
a family member I am in no position to speak here. But there is definitely a reason why I am here.”
She then pointed to the box and said, “Yesterday, I received this box of apples when I went home after
work. As the family of a civil servant, I know that I should not even accept gifts, even if it is a box of
apples. That is why I am here to surrender the box of apples.”
Michael looked at the box and asked, “Are there really apples in the box?”
Jasmine asked in return, “Could there be bananas in a box marked with apples?”
“It’s just a box of apples, it’s fine…” The inspectorate said.
“Although it’s just a box of apples, I cannot accept it because it was given by someone I did not know.
Although I’m young, I remember Chairman Mao’s teachings that government officials must not take
even a needle and a thread from the citizens. This box of apples is worth at least twenty dollars and
that’s worth many needles and thread.”
Michael rolled his eyes and said, “I haven’t eaten apples for a while. Why don’t we open it for a bite?”
Jasmine said, “As you wish. This isn’t mine and I can’t decide what to do with it.”
Michael went ahead to remove the duct tape and opened the box.
He removed the contents for all to see and asked, “Are these apples?”
Jasmine appeared surprised and all eyes were on Jasmine.
Michael spoke again, “Could it be that you knew that something was happening and you used this
manner to return this ill-gotten money?”
Jasmine looked towards Michael and recalled that Dolores had warned her of the possibility of
someone using this against her. True enough, it happened as Dolores had expected. Dolores had
coached Jasmine to persist that she did not know about the money.
Jasmine persisted, “I didn’t know that there was money in the box. This box was insisted upon me. If I
had known that it contained money, I would have brought this last night. The reason why I am here only
now is I thought that it was just apples. Had I known that it was money, I would not waste a moment to
surrender it.”
“Ha, insisted upon you? I don’t believe it.”
Jasmine replied, “You can investigate, additionally…”
She took out her cellphone to show them the security footage, “If you don’t believe it, you can watch
this video.”
A person beside Boyce took the cell phone and transferred the video onto the computer for all to see.
However, Michael did not end his attacks and looked towards Boyce, “Don’t tell me that you knew
nothing about this. Why didn’t you surrender this money on your own?”
“He knew nothing about it. There are location and time stamps on the video. You can see it for
yourself…” Jasmine interjected.
“What have these got to do with whether Mr. Shawn knew about it?” Michael interrupted Jasmine and
questioned.
Jasmine was confident in her reply, “Just look at the time. This happened after six o’clock yesterday. I
was already asleep when Boyce returned home. That was why I did not inform him. Surely someone
here can validate what time Boyce left the station yesterday?”
As soon as she said this, someone spoke, “Mr. Shawn was with us yesterday. There were new leads in
the previous case and Mr. Shawn was with us until midnight. It was only expected that Mrs. Shawn
would be asleep by the time he went back.”
The evidence lined up tightly to prove that Boyce did not know of this incident. His wife had received a
box of apples and surrendered it the next day.
The pieces of evidence were there for all to see.
“We did receive a complaint and although this had been explained, we still had to follow the
procedures. As the inspectorate of the department, there must be zero tolerance for corruption. Facts
must not be twisted.” The inspectorate said.
The current finding was in Boyce’s favour but the investigations must be completed. So, there was no
need for him to be suspended before the investigation was over. Everyone involved must cooperate
with the investigations.
Boyce had other tasks to work on and instructed Bruno to send Jasmine home.
After leaving the room, Bruno asked, “How did you manage to barge into the meeting room?”
Indeed some people tried to prevent her from getting to the meeting room. Moreover, she was carrying
the box but managed to muscle her way past them.
“Rest assured that everything would be fine.” Bruno assured her as they reached the entrance to the
station.
Jasmine said, “I’ll go home on my own.”
Bruno smiled and replied, “Mr. Shawn had instructed me to send you home.”
Jasmine pointed to the black sedan waiting for her and then walked towards Dolores and said,
“Dolores, it’s resolved.”
Dolores smiled happily.
Although Dolores did not have time to prepare herself, she was equally beautiful and elegant. Her smile
made her even more enchanting.
Bruno was stunned and then quickly said, “I’ll go back to my work now since someone is waiting for
you.”
Jasmine waved to thank him, “Please go ahead.”
Dolores opened the car door and said, “Let’s go.”
Jasmine got into the front passenger side and thanked Dolores repeatedly. If it was not for Dolores’
help, things might not have gone so smoothly. At this moment, her cellphone rang.
When she answered the call, she was informed by her current company that she had been terminated.
She just started working and not only took leave but also was late for work.
She lowered her head in disappointment and replied, “I understand.”
Dolores noticed her sudden change in spirits and asked, “What happened?”
Jasmine explained, “I had been fired.”
“They wouldn’t keep you on even if you had completed your internship. You’re only in your second year
of College. You have plenty of opportunities. Focus on your delivering your baby and then worry about
work.” Dolores advised.
The company would definitely not retain her when they find out about her pregnancy. Additionally,
Boyce would be very busy and if she also worked, then they would have very little time for each other.
After all, they were married recently. Someone would need to stay at home.
Dolores respected Jasmine’s choice and said, “If you still would like to work, I can help you get a job.” It
was easy for Matthew to get her a job that was in her field of studies.
Jasmine replied, “You’re right. I won’t be able to work for long even if I wasn’t fired. Furthermore, now
that Boyce was just promoted, I should not let him worry about the situation at home.”
Then she turned towards Dolores, “Is it true that women had to sacrifice their goals after
marriage?”
“They wouldn't keep you on even if you had completed your internship. You're only in your second year
of College. You have plenty of opportunities. Focus on your delivering your baby and then worry about
work.” Dolores advised.
The company would definitely not retain her when they find out about her pregnancy. Additionally,
Boyce would be very busy and if she also worked, then they would have very little time for each other.
After all, they were married recently. Someone would need to stay at home.
Dolores respected Jasmine’s choice and said, “If you still would like to work, | can help you get a job.” It
was easy for Matthew to get her a job that was in her field of studies.
Jasmine replied, “You're right. | won't be able to work for long even if | wasn’t fired. Furthermore, now
that Boyce was just promoted, | should not let him worry about the situation at home.”
Then she turned towards Dolores, “Is it true that women had to sacrifice their goals after
marriage?”
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