The door closed. The executive poured me tea himself.

"Mrs. Fox, why don't you just forgive Clement and Mildred and let this go?"

My hand froze around the cup. "After what they've done, you're asking me to forgive them?"

"Look, I know Clement went a bit too far, and Mildred was out of line too.

"But Clement is the backbone of this company. Every major project has his name on it.

"You have to think about the bigger picture here, don't you?"

I couldn't speak.

The executive smiled at me. "How about this: I'll put a formal warning on both Clement's and Mildred's records. And for you, I can arrange a settlement. A generous one.

"What happened to your daughter, I'm truly sorry. But you and Clement can always have another child. You're still married, after all.

"Clement's career is only going up. As Mrs. Delgado, you'll want for nothing."

I was so furious I laughed. "Fine, protect him. But why are you protecting Mildred too?"

The executive paused.

"You didn't know? She was personally recommended by him. He vouched for her."

I nearly dropped my cup.

I had submitted my resume to this company three times.

Each time, it vanished without a trace. No explanation.

I'd begged Clement once. Just asked him to put in a word with management, get me an interview.

Not a guaranteed position. Just an interview.

I knew his influence. He wouldn't have even needed to go through the higher-ups to make it happen.

But he told me he couldn't. It would look like favoritism.

He said not to put him in that position.

So for me, it was "favoritism."

For Mildred, it was a personal endorsement straight through the door.

My knuckles went white around the cup. I stared at him.

"And if I don't accept?"

The executive gave a thin smile. "I'd advise you, Mrs. Fox, not to go to war with this company."

I hadn't been out of the building long.

The internet exploded with stories about me.

DERANGED WIFE EXPLOITS DAUGHTER'S DEATH TO EXTORT HUSBAND

TECH RISING STAR CLEMENT DELGADO'S TROUBLED HOME LIFE

WIFE SUSPECTS HUSBAND OF AFFAIR WITH FEMALE COLLEAGUE — DID SHE USE HER DAUGHTER'S DEATH AS A WEAPON OF REVENGE?

Just like that, the tide of public sympathy turned. Every person who had pitied me was now aiming their guns at me instead.

The comment sections overflowed with praise for Clement and Mildred.

"I've had the privilege of working with Mr. Delgado. Genuinely great guy, impeccable work ethic, and always respectful toward women."