The crowd was getting larger as the seconds passed. Liam, sensing the tension, called the receptionist and urgently asked him to come over. As Maya told them to stop- still crying, Emmett started laughing, a sound that grated on everyone's nerves. The people around furrowed their brows in confusion and irritation. Steven, seeing Maya, loosened his grasp on Emmett's shirt collar. Emmett smacked Steven's hand away, clearly unfazed. Leaning towards Maya, he placed his hand on her shoulder again and sneered, "You still suck, don't you, Maya?"
Levi, standing there, couldn't tolerate the disrespect any longer. He intervened, shoving Emmett's face away from Maya with his arm. Emmett, now irritated, raised his eyebrows and retorted, "What do you think you're doing?"
"Touching a woman without her permission might land you an assault charge. So back off," Levi warned, his voice low and dangerous.
"Tch, don't tell me you are... whatever, she doesn't give guys the best physical service..." Emmett's words were cut off abruptly as Levi grabbed his collar and punched him squarely in the face. Emmett fell to the ground, stunned. The crowd, which had been murmuring and whispering, gasped collectively, hands flying to their mouths in shock.
"Tch! CEO Levi Thompson, always smiling and known for his good attitude, chose violence for a girl, huh?" Emmett spat out, getting up shakily.
"Want some more? I can go for all day," Levi smirked, his eyes glinting with a mix of anger and satisfaction.
"Levi, stop! People are watching!" Ethan whispered urgently, trying to defuse the situation.
The receptionist finally arrived, looking flustered. Levi turned to him, his expression thunderous. "How did he get in? Not once but twice!"
"He got a visiting card," the receptionist stammered.
"Visiting card? Hey, smudge face, show me your card!" Levi demanded. Emmett, still wiping the blood from his lips, reluctantly handed over his card.
"Business Daily! You're a journalist then! Tch, guess I don't have any choice. I have your boss' number. I'll just call him."
"What?" Emmett's eyes widened in panic.
"Why? You didn't see this coming before walked in? Ms. Larson, I might need your help with the police... Todd, you call the police... I'll have a nice talk with his boss."
"Don't call the police, please," Emmett pleaded, his bravado quickly crumbling into fear.
"Uh-huh? Why wouldn't I? You know you can't enter VISHO without an appointment. You used your visiting card to create a scene here. Tch! That's against our policy!"
The crowd, which had been silently watching, began to disperse slowly. But Maya stood there, her eyes wide with fear and tears streaming down her face. Steven, unable to bear seeing her like this, shouted, "What are you all looking at? This isn't a show. Go back to your work." His voice carried an authority that made everyone scatter quickly. Tiffany Spencer, seeing the opportunity, walked over to Steven and Maya, positioning herself between them. "Let's go, Stone. You shouldn't stay here either," she said, her voice dripping with false concern.
Steven glared at her but held back as Ethan intervened, "Spencer, it's better if you don't interfere in everything. Go to work."
"I'm doing my work, Irwin. I'm helping our head so he won't get in trouble because of anyone," she said, smirking at Maya.
"You're talking to your senior, Tiffany Spencer. Go back before I lose my patience," Steven retorted, his eyes flashing with anger.
"But—"
"Go!" Steven's voice was like a whip, and Tiffany, though visibly annoyed, turned and left.
The police arrived shortly after, along with Emmett's boss. Levi, ensuring Emmett apologized, made it clear that any future harassment would result in a restraining order. Throughout the confrontation, Maya remained silent, her face pale and drawn. Everyone was concerned about her well-being. Levi, his voice softening, told her to go home and rest. Instead of going to her apartment, she went to her parents'. Sara, who had been informed by Steven beforehand, found Maya lying on her bed, staring blankly out the window.
"Is she okay?" Steven called Sara that night, his voice tinged with worry.
"Better than before. Thanks for having her back today," Sara replied, her tone grateful.
"It's okay. Did she have dinner?"
"Yes, she did. I'm worried if she'll be okay at the office."
"Don't worry. I'll take care of her."
"Emmett really has some guts," Sara complained, frustration evident in her voice.
"Sure, he does."
. . .
The next day at the office, Maya walked through the entrance, her heart pounding. She hoped, against hope, that no one would whisper about what had happened the previous day. But when you become the center of a scandal, that's impossible. People who hadn't seen her before had already seen her picture, and everyone was talking about her. The comments varied widely:
"Wow, isn't she a beauty! She looks even better in person." "The CEO was right to punch that guy; I'd do that too." "Who wouldn't fall in love with this cutie? Maybe I should ask for her number too."
On the other hand, some comments, especially from the girls, were less kind:
"She really has some guts. I don't think I could come in the next day." "Isn't she an attention seeker?" "I heard the CEO punched the guy for her. Really? She isn't that beautiful, though."
Maya felt awkward and exposed as she walked, the distance to the lift feeling interminably long. She was face-palming in embarrassment. Suddenly, she noticed people stepping aside, making way for her. Confused and relieved, she realized she was flanked by four department heads, two on her left and two on her right. She gulped and stopped walking.
"Are you not coming?" Ethan asked, looking back.
"I think I'll be okay now. You don't really have to help me," Maya retorted, looking down.
"We're not helping you but the employees. They're wasting time gossiping around," Steven said, scratching his head.
"You're the one who told us..." Kevin started to say, but Steven stuffed a piece of bread into his mouth.
"Ouslsjhakajlwl," Kevin mumbled, his words muffled.
"Don't talk when we can't understand you; you'll choke," Liam said, his voice teasing.
Maya couldn't help but scoff a little laughter, seeing them being playful. Ethan clapped in excitement, "Did you just smile? Did you?" Maya tried to maintain her composure, holding back the smile. She shook her head.
"Let's go then," Liam retorted, leading the way.
Nira hugged Maya as she arrived, with Kobe standing beside her, his face etched with worry. "Are you okay? I didn't want to call you since it was a lot to handle," Nira asked, her voice gentle.
"I'm really okay. Sorry for making you worry, guys," Maya replied, trying to sound reassuring.
"Thank God. Maya, you can talk to us anytime you want," Kobe added, his concern evident.
"Thanks. I'm happy to have colleagues like you," Maya said, feeling a warmth spread through her.
Twelve other managers came by, sincerely asking if she was okay, their concern genuine. This made her feel relaxed and appreciated. Office hours hadn't started yet, so they talked for a while. Maya felt a sense of camaraderie and support that she hadn't expected. As they were talking, Tiffany interrupted and clapped to get their attention. Everyone looked at her, feeling a bit nervous. Tiffany glanced at Maya and then addressed the group.
"Is this what you do at the office?"
Silence...
"Seems like you don't care about your work at all. Seriously, how did you get a job here? Tch, I cannot believe I'm working with you."
Nira was about to speak, but Maya interjected, her voice firm, "Even though you're the assistant head, we're still your seniors, Spencer. We got here through the same process. If you disrespect us..."
"What do you want to do then? I seriously don't want to hear anything from you, especially you. I don't care about anyone like you. Girls like you cannot be trusted."
"What did you just say?" Nira fired back, her eyes blazing.
"You heard me. She really gets on my nerves."
Maya looked down, feeling desperate, wanting to say more but knowing she couldn't. Levi, passing by, heard everything and decided to intervene. He walked over and stood beside Maya. As soon as he arrived, Tiffany's tone changed abruptly.
"Mr. Thompson, thank God you're here. I was about to go to Stone. They're not listening to me at all. Look at them making a crowd here."
Levi smirked at her, making her feel nervous. "I'm seriously disappointed. I heard everything, Spencer. You questioned our authority? You questioned their ability? I guess what needs to be questioned is how in the world we hired someone like you."
"What did you..." Tiffany's words trailed off as everyone tried to suppress their laughter.
"You heard me right. I'm letting it slide this time, but don't think I'll let you go if you do this again. And it's not office hours yet; they always come early. You better learn before saying something."
Levi was about to leave, but Tiffany ran to him and clung to his arm. Everyone was shocked, their hands covering their mouths. Levi looked at her hand and then at her face, seeing her look down, trying to appear shy.
"What do you think you're doing?" Levi pulled his arm free, his face showing confusion.
"I'm sorry. I wasn't in my right mind. I misunderstood the situation," Tiffany said, looking flustered.
"Apologize to them, not to me! You forgot who I am?" Levi glared at her, making her feel terrified. She instantly turned and apologized to the employees.
"I'm sorry."
"Good. And don't cling to me again," Levi warned before leaving.
As she stood there, surrounded by her concerned and caring coworkers, she realized that she wasn't alone in this. She had people who genuinely cared about her and were willing to stand by her side, no matter what. The day continued, and despite the earlier tension.