Sophia Sullivan remained expressionless.
Her gaze settled on Caleb Vance.
"Where's your proof?"
The moment he spoke, she recognized the trap.
A clumsy frame-up.
She glanced at the accusers standing behind him.
Their motives were already clear.
Caleb stammered.
"I... I don't have proof. But you're the prime suspect, Ms. Sullivan. Shouldn't you explain yourself? Otherwise, people will keep doubting you."
He expected her to panic.
Instead, she didn't even flinch.
Her eyes regarded him like he was trash.
Caleb bristled at the silent contempt.
Most people would defend themselves against theft accusations.
Yet she remained untouchable.
Her very gaze felt like charity.
Sophia suddenly smiled.
"Why should I explain? Innocent until proven guilty—even schoolchildren know that. Didn't you graduate from a prestigious university?"
Caleb choked on his words.
His fists clenched.
Bitter resentment burned through him.
If this woman hadn't parachuted into their department, they wouldn't be suffering like this.
Caleb shot a meaningful look.
His lackeys immediately stirred the pot.
"Ms. Sullivan, that's unfair. The stolen items were valuable. As the main suspect, you owe us an explanation."
"Exactly. Staying silent makes you look guilty."
"The cameras malfunctioned, but logs show you were the last to leave. The items vanished this morning."
"Those perfumes were priceless. None of us could access them. And the equipment—only a professional would know how to..."
Their coordinated accusations hung thick in the air.
Someone finally spoke up.
"Caleb, are you insane? Ms. Sullivan just handled that impossible client last week."
"Right! So what if she's an orphan? She's loaded. Mr. Sullivan's shares alone could last lifetimes."
"Accusing people without evidence is slander!"
Colleagues who'd worked late that night stepped forward.
They'd long despised Caleb.
A workplace bully through and through.
Sophia kept to herself, but never started conflicts.
Theft? Impossible.
Seeing support for Sophia, Caleb seethed.
He deliberately raised his voice near Ethan Sullivan.
"Looks can deceive. I heard Ms. Sullivan seduced someone's fiancé before. Divorced women get lonely—maybe she—"
A cold voice cut through.
Ethan's eyes darkened dangerously.
"Keep speculating, and I'll have your mouth sewn shut."
Caleb flinched.
"Mr. Sullivan, I didn't mean—"
"Then shut up."
Only Sophia's subtle signal stopped Ethan from throwing Caleb out immediately.
Now he understood.
She'd been playing the long game.
Today exposed the lab's true parasites.
Those slut-shaming remarks sent Ethan's temper flaring.
His gaze swept the room.
"You're paid to work, not spread rumors. One more word, and you're all fired."
He locked onto Caleb.
Disgust plain on his face.
"Pack your things. You're done here."
The room fell deathly silent.
Caleb gaped.
Ethan would fire everyone over a woman?
And he was first on the chopping block?