chapter105

“Mr. Sinclair, for you, this may be a minor administrative distraction, but for me, it is about my reputation and my future,” Thalassa insisted, her voice trembling slightly but not breaking. “It will take only a few minutes to verify the corridor cameras.”

Zephyr Sinclair, the patriarch of the family, watched her with eagle-eyed scrutiny, his silence more intimidating than a shout.

Lysander let out a cold, sharp chuckle. “You are persistent, I’ll give you that. But as I said, we are dealing with a significant corporate crisis.”

Just as Thalassa was about to plead further, Joie entered the office. Her usual confident stride was gone, replaced by a jittery, nervous energy. She approached the desk, her voice faltering.

“Mr. Sinclair... I’m here to admit my responsibility. I was the one who initiated the stories about Thalassa. I felt... overlooked in the department, and I allowed my personal frustrations regarding the staffing of the top floor to cloud my judgment. I have submitted my resignation.”

Thalassa was taken aback by the sudden confession, but sensed there was more to the story.

“I made a mistake,” Joie continued, keeping her eyes on the floor. “But Thalassa also breached protocol by using incorrect identification during her initial hiring. I don’t understand why she wasn't held to the same disciplinary standards I am now facing.”

“Are you questioning the internal review process I personally authorized?” Lysander asked, his voice cutting through the room like a blade.

Joie turned pale, her knees visibly shaking. “No, sir. I didn't realize... I apologize.”

Thalassa’s mind raced. So Lysander had known about her mother’s ID and had quietly ensured she wasn't dismissed? The realization sparked a flurry of questions, but she pushed them aside to focus on the immediate threat.

“Mr. Sinclair, Joie’s actions weren't just about my hiring details,” Thalassa said, looking toward the patriarch. “She was part of a larger effort to disrupt the peace on this floor because she felt entitled to a position here—not for professional growth, but for personal proximity to the leadership. Her resentment stems from a lack of focus on her actual duties.”

As Thalassa spoke, Zephyr’s expression grew even more severe, his piercing gaze shifting between the two women and his grandson. Lysander could feel the weight of his grandfather’s mounting displeasure, and his own face hardened into a mask of absolute authority. The personal dynamics of his staff were now being aired in front of the head of the Sinclair family, and the stakes had officially shifted from a simple rumor to a test of his control over his own house.