The day after I was abruptly let go, I found myself wandering through the city streets, unable to shake the feeling of confusion and frustration that had settled over me. I hadn't expected to be so completely shut out without any clear explanation. My mind replayed Isabelle's words over and over: "Effective immediately, I'll be taking over your duties. You're to leave this floor and not return."
It wasn't until the following day, when I was back in my apartment, that I received a call from an old colleague, Jason, who had been a friendly face at the office. His tone was unusually urgent.
"Hey, Seren. I've got something you need to hear," Jason said, his voice low and serious.
"What's going on?" I asked, feeling a knot form in my stomach.
"I don't know how to say this, but I overheard something yesterday. After you left, a woman came into the office—one I didn't recognize. She went straight to Mr. Morris's office."
Mr. Morris was the head of HR, and I'd had minimal interactions with him. "And?" I prompted.
"She handed him a check and told him to fire you. She said to make up any excuse, just get rid of you. I don't know why or what's going on, but it was clear she had some kind of authority."
My heart raced as Jason's words sank in. "Are you serious? I was fired for something I didn't even do?"
"That's what it sounded like. I don't know the details, but I figured you had the right to know," Jason said. "I'm sorry, Seren. It's a messed-up situation."
I thanked Jason for the information, feeling a mix of anger and betrayal. The knowledge that I had been dismissed under false pretenses fueled my desire to get to the bottom of this. The more I thought about it, the more it became clear that my sudden firing was part of a larger scheme—one I had yet to fully understand.
With a newfound determination, I decided to confront the situation head-on. I needed answers, and I wasn't going to let this go without a fight. I reached out to the HR department to request an official explanation for my termination. After several calls and emails, I managed to secure a meeting with Mr. Morris.
When I arrived at the HR office, I was greeted by Mr. Morris's stern expression. He motioned for me to sit across from him at his desk.
"Mr. Morris, I'd like to understand why I was terminated," I began, trying to keep my voice steady. "I've been informed that someone came in and made a directive to fire me."
Mr. Morris's expression didn't change. "Seren, your termination was processed according to company policy. The reasons were deemed sufficient."
"But I was given no chance to address any concerns or issues. I was told to leave immediately without explanation," I pressed. "Can you at least tell me who was responsible for this decision?"
Mr. Morris shifted in his chair, clearly uncomfortable with the question. "I'm afraid I can't disclose that information. The decision was made at a higher level."
His evasion only confirmed what I had suspected. The woman Jason had mentioned must have had significant influence, and it seemed she had ensured that my departure was as smooth and inconspicuous as possible.
Determined to get some closure, I decided to take my case to a legal advisor. The information Jason had provided was damning, and it was clear that there had been foul play involved in my dismissal. As I walked away from the HR office, I felt a mix of resolve and frustration. This was not how I had imagined my professional journey would unfold.
The fight for my rights and reputation had just begun, and I knew it wouldn't be easy. But whatever it took, I was committed to uncovering the truth behind my unjust termination and clearing my name. The shadowy figures pulling the strings behind the scenes would not be able to silence me without a fight.
As I prepared to meet with legal counsel and gather evidence, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was more than just a personal battle. It was about standing up against unfair practices and ensuring that the truth came to light, no matter how deeply it was buried.