Lucy’s POV
I felt so sorry for Helen.Her face was swollen from the hard slap The red palm print was still on her face
as a horrible reminder of Jane’s viciousness.
But Helen was not a vindictive brat.No matter how much of injustice she had suffered, she would
quietly internalize it and suffer in silence Pitiable as it was, she felt that it was the sensible thing to do.I
beat Jane up badly today and helped Helen teach her a lesson.
Some people were used to bullying the weak and fearing the strong Jane was such a bully.I had to let
her know that Helen was not a woman she could trample on and that I would protect her! Helen had me
to stand up for her! If she dared to hurt Helen again, I would definitely teach her a harder lesson!
However, I chose not to tell Helen that Jane had called the police on me today I was detained in the
police station for questioning the entire afternoon.
Jane insisted on suing me for assault.It was only when George reasoned with her that she dropped the
charges To be honest, when I saw Jane in the police station, she looked badly roughed up.
Her hair was disheveled and her shirt was torn in several places.I took full credit for her condition.
Although there were no visible bruises on her body.I indeed mercilessly hit her with all my might.
She was no longer elegant and graceful as she used to be.She looked like a tramp Later, Jane’s
mother, Libby, rushed over when she heard the news.
The moment she saw George coming, she immediately walked up to him and complained how barbaric
I was and how much Jane had suffered.
"George, it’s so good that you are finally here! We must sue this vixen.This matter can’t be settled out
of court! You know, Jane has never been wronged like this in her life.How could that wildcat, Lucy, hit
her?"
Libby and Jane were both in favor of suing me.
Jane bowed her head and cried to win sympathy, while Libby asked George to speak on Jane’s behalf.
They acted like the victims here and people who didn’t know what really happened would totally buy it.
There was no way that Helen could ever handle such scheming people on her own George ignored
them at first But after Libby finished speaking, he looked at them and said calmly.
"It was Jane who started it."
His voice was calm, but his eyes were as sharp and as cold as ice cones.He was blaming her in no
uncertain terms.
Both Libby and Jane were taken aback and looked at George in disbelief They probably thought that
George was on their side and had come to support them I was also shocked by his words for a
moment, Nonetheless, I curled my lips in mockery.
What had caused him to cross the floor? First he allowed Jane to slap Helen and now he was blaming
Jane for inciting violence.
Under the watchful eyes of dozens of gossipmongers, Helen was slapped.
Every time ! thought about it, I wanted to beat Jane up again.
If it was someone else who had defended Jane in the canteen fiasco, then things might have been
easier to handle.But it was George for crying out loud! That added a new dimension to this problem.
As Helen’s best friend, I knew her feelings for George best They were more than just friends with
benefits.She was in love with him.
How devastated Helen must have felt when George grabbed her wrist and allowed Jane to hit her!
George testified on my behalf and signed his statement before I was released from police custody After
walking out of the police station, I didn’t even thank George.
Instead, I issued him a stern warning.
"Stay away from Helen.She is not interested in playing games with you."
After saying that, I left, not caring how terrible George felt.I reached Helen’s home late because I had
stopped by the hospital to see her mother first.I had called Helen several times but she did not answer
my calls.I assumed that she had gone to the hospital to see her mother.It was there that I learnt from
the doctor why Helen wanted to hit Jane.Her mother was her greatest weakness.
If I was in a similar situation.I guessed my reaction would have been worse than Helen’s.
Now that I thought about it, I felt that I had let Jane off too lightly.I was way too gentle with her.
A few more kicks and slaps would have taught her a better lesson.
"Helen, it’s okay.I went to visit your mother this afternoon.The doctor said she is recovering well.It’s just
that she was provoked this time.It’s only temporary, and she’ll be fine."
In the evening.I lay on the bed next to Helen and comforted her in a soft, gentle voice.
"I know.She will pull through."
Helen had already calmed down.
When she mentioned her mother, her eyes lit up with love and hope.
Helen’s POV:
The next day.
I found that the swelling on my cheek had gone down considerably.
It didn’t look so bad I used a little extra foundation to cover the bruise. One had to look really hard to
see traces of injury on my face the foundation provided a good disguise Before I went out, I received a
call from Anya.
She asked me to report to the Hesmor Law Firm I thought that I would be criticized or even fired by
Anya.
After all, I had mishandled this matter When I entered Anya’s office, Phil was also there with her.When
he saw me, he didn’t say anything With a long face, Anya questioned me coldly.
"Helen, do you think you are fit to be a lawyer? You are clearly unable to control your emotions."
I lowered my head in shame and couldn’t defend myself This was the second time that I had lost
control The first time was when Jane first came back from abroad, and the second time was when my
mother suffered a relapse But no matter what excuses I came up with to justify my behavior to myself,
it amounted to dereliction of duty in the workplace.
So no matter what punitive measures were taken against me by Anya, I would accept it In fact, I heard
from Lucy last night that the canteen incident was the central topic of discussion on everyone’s lips at
Zhester Technology.
The gossip spread like wildfire.
Now even juicy titbits had been added to the rumors No one cared about the truth but just fueled the
rumors further Even Anya seemed to regard it as a personal dispute, caused by the love triangle
between George.
Jane and me She reprimanded me severely "Helen, your outrageous behavior has really disappointed
me.Do you think I am blind to your lascivious desire for George? But that is your private matter.I have
no interest in questioning you about your personal affairs.However, do not allow your personal life to
interfere with your work.You should be able to separate the two.Don’t ever bring your personal matters
out in public.People don’t care who you are since you’re literally just a nobody.It is the Hesmor Law firm
and my name that you’ve smeared here! Now people are questioning our professionalism! You’ve
disgraced not only me, but also all your coworkers, our entire law firm!"
I was ashamed of myself.
Her words were hard hitting and rang true.
I didn’t know how to respond to her.I had always been in good control of my emotions and dealt with
work in the most professional way But ever since Jane reappeared in my life, my emotions had never
been in balance I knew that Anya had always been mature and consistent.
She hated people who had no clear distinction between public and private interests So I was willing to
apologize and take accountability for my actions "I’m sorry, Miss Pierce I didn’t live up to your
expectation I will hand in my resignation letter and issue a public apology clarifying that I acted in my
personal capacity on a private matter and that it has nothing to do with Hesmor Law firm I will clear the
name of the law firm."
"Resign? Is that the best solution you could come up with?"
Anya was so vexed that her eyes burned with anger Phil, who had been silent all the time, suddenly
stood up.He walked up to me and said, "Helen, do you honestly think that resigning will solve the
problem? You have a strong, professional work ethic You are hardworking and diligent.
You are responsible and intelligent Why would you resign over such a small matter? Do you want to be
seen as a coward? Anya has spent so much time training you How can you just throw it all away like
that "I don’t care what kind of conflict you have with George and Jane You have to face it and resolve it
on your own terms Somewhere along the line, you lost your heart Go and retrace your steps and find
that heart of yours,"
Anya added, still looking furious Where did I lose my heart? Maybe it was on the day when my father
died in front of me when Libby and Jane came to my father’s funeral and spilled poison over us When
my mother started suffering with mental problems Over the years, I had turned so hard to look tough
and strong But it was a mere facade.
My heart was always fragile and exposed.it was as if someone had ripped my heart out of my chest
and had thrown it on the sidewalk for all to trample on.I had been trying my best to protect my fragile
heart carefully when there was a problem, I would escape and hide in my own sale haven But this safe
haven was getting smaller and smaller.
Now, I had no place to hide anymore.I was being pushed out of my shelter to face the demons head on
Phil let go of my shoulders and said to me seriously, "Helen.I don’t believe that you are a person who
would run away from her problem.I have full confidence that you will pick up the pieces of your life and
move forward.I know my assessment of you is correct.So get back on your horse."
Anya said in a cold voice.
"You have brought shame on the Hesmor Law Firm and me.You have to redeem yourself here by
proving your professional ability No one, but you can clean up your mess.So get started."
Anya and Phil trusted me and still encouraged me to prove myself.
It seemed that the courage and confidence that had been hidden deep in my heart had been padually
awakened Anya ordered, "Come with me to Zhester Technology this afternoon and apologize to
George and Jane.That’s our starting point."
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