Claire and Gabriel moved to Claire's bedroom where they continued hugging and holding each other tightly. It felt as if Gabriel didn't want to ever let go of Claire as he gripped his fingertips into her back, drawing her closer.
Claire kissed his hands as she carefully studied them as if kisses were meant to heal the scrapes and cuts on them. She felt bad for each smear of blood and for causing Gabriel this unbelievable anguish. She was the reason he was hurting, or at least that's what she believed.
After a while they fell asleep, helping each other relax with their steady breaths and warm comfort of their bodies.
Claire woke up first, looking up at Gabriel's tense face as he moaned in his sleep. His sleep was very unsettled through the night, as the day previous many of his wounds have been abruptly reopened. Claire's phone pinged and she looked at a notification.
She froze feeling as if she was about to have a heart attack. The news headline was about her, again. 'Claire Thompson responsible for the death of construction worker'.
Claire opened the report and started reading it. The accident at the construction site was blamed solely on her and her negligence, and it stated that the construction worker died in the hospital, and his newly widowed wife committed suicide. Claire felt her heart stop as she read it. She got up quietly so as to not disturb Gabriel, hiding in a bathroom, sobbing and throwing up interchangeably as her nerves started to get to her. Michael Moore's words echoed through her head. He was going to destroy her. It didn't add up in her mind. She saw the construction worker in the hospital, he was meant to be discharged later today. He was not in a critical condition. Besides a few broken bones, he was okay. His internal organs miraculously remained untouched during the fall. Claire was told that he has expected a full recovery within a few weeks, months at most. And his wife seemed content with Claire's support and support of Diamond Corporate. This didn't make sense. And the investigation didn't show that it was Claire's department that was negligent. At least not yet. Claire's only conclusion was that Michael Moore stood behind it, in some wicked way.
"Claire, are you okay?" Gabriel's sleepy voice sounded through the door.
"I need a moment." Claire mumbled before throwing up again.
Gabriel looked at his phone and as he did, he received the exactly same notification. He sat down on the edge of Claire's bed, reading through the article, feeling his stomach turn and his chest tighten. He clenched his fists, knowing that what he was reading was clear sabotage. He knew that Claire was diligent in her work and that she would never miss something so important as to lead to someone's death.
Claire took a while longer before coming out of the bathroom, tears running down her face, looking paler than usual, with a wobble in her step.
"I saw him last week. I spoke to the doctors. I am confident that they've said that he will fully recover." Claire said between sobs, her lips quivering, and her voice shaken. "He wasn't in critical condition. He was supposed to be discharged today!"
Gabriel didn't doubt a single word, quickly grabbing Claire's hands and putting his phone away.
"I know, Claire. The investigation didn't show anything on your side either. There was nothing that would suggest it is your fault." Gabriel said reassuringly. "We will publish investigation results and clear your name. We can make it through."
"No." Claire shook her head. "Two lives were lost because of me. I cannot just pretend that it's all okay."
"Two lives were lost but you weren't responsible for it. It's not because of you." Gabriel said sternly. "We will find a way to deal with it."
"There's only one way for me to deal with it." Claire said decisively. "Can you arrange for the press conference?"
"Claire…" Gabriel started worriedly knowing where this was going.
"I am going to take the blame and I will resign." Claire stated. "That's the only right thing to do so that Diamond Corporate doesn't take much more of a hit. Stocks are already dropping for Diamond Corporate. If it continues, we will lose customers and…" Claire's phone pinged again. "More customers…" she corrected herself. "Green City Project for the city hall has been withdrawn. I need to leave as soon as to stop the landslide." Gabriel gulped knowing what the consequences of it were. "Gabriel, I need you to stand beside me, not in front of me. I need you to be there but not protect me from everything. I need you to stand strong and stand up for Diamond Corporate. That's the only way you can help me. By not buckling and falling with me. I can take a hit if I know that you will still stand up and help me pick myself up once it's all over." Claire cried as she said it, almost begging Gabriel to do what she asked him to.
Gabriel didn't answer straight away, analysing every possible scenario, but he knew that from the business side Claire was right. Their stocks were plummeting since the news hit the headlines, and that was less than half an hour ago.
"I can't let you fall, Claire." Gabriel said with a pained voice.
"But you won't." Claire smiled. "Not if you will help me pick myself up in the next few months or years. I can manage it. I've hit rock bottom before." Her tears started drying out. "Press conference, please. I may need the PR team to help me write a statement."
"Of course." Gabriel nodded sniffling, knowing that this might be an unrecoverable career hit for Claire. "I'll do what you need me to do."
"Great." Claire nodded disappearing back to a bathroom and rinsing her face trying to hide the effect of the news.
Gabriel went to call everyone relevant to arrange PR support and a press conference.
Claire got dressed and she made her way into the company, with Gabriel closely by her side.
As expected, reporters were all around the square again, flashing their cameras at Claire and shouting their questions. Claire tried her hardest not to have a meltdown in public but as soon as she walked into her office, she flopped in the chair feeling absolutely depleted.
Within moments Gabriel came into her office with Alistair, Chief Comms Officer, and one of the PR leads in tow.
"Claire." Alistair gave her a nod. "Not quite the circumstances I'd like to see you in but always a pleasure."
"Thanks, Alistair." Claire smiled. "Shall we move to the meeting room?"
"Here is fine." Alistair said as he sat opposite Claire. "I'm guessing that you have in mind how you will defend yourself." He said as he smiled at Claire. Gabriel leaned against the wall on the side, unwilling to participate in the discussion, still hurt over Claire's choice to resign.
"I do have an idea." Claire nodded. "I need your help though."
"Well, I can help to prepare evidence and statements. I believe that the investigation didn't point in your direction at all, at least not yet. The rumours are false and exaggerated. Clearly, someone tries to damage your image and the image of Diamond Corporate. Gordon is on board with making our investigation transparent to the public to reassure them of where we're standing…"
"No, Alistair." Claire shook her head. "I need your help in writing a public apology and a resignation letter."
"That's highly unnecessary, Claire." Alistair protested turning to look at Gabriel who was still in a very sombre mood. "Gabriel, it's not necessary to go to that extreme."
"It is not my decision." Gabriel answered shortly.
"It is my decision, Alistair. Gordon, please, make sure that your investigation is thorough. For now, I am taking all of the blame." Claire said decisively.
Alistair and Gordon hesitated but they buckled to Claire helping her prepare the statement.