I Defend Mine, No Right or Wrong

Im fiercely protective of my own, no questions asked. Loyalty over rules, always.

When I was a kid, if my dog got picked on, Id grab a knife and chase the culprits three blocks for revenge. Later, at work, if my team had a dispute, I didnt care who was rightonly who won.

But my bosss wife, Vanessa, never understood this.

At the companys holiday party, she walked over, glass in hand, and pointed to one of my top salespeople. This girl looks familiar. Yesterday, I saw her checking into a hotel with an old man in broad daylight, just to close a deal. Young people will do anything for money.

She smiled sweetly. You should be careful. People like that often carry diseases.

The room erupted. Everyone turned on Emma, whispering insults. She tried to explain, but as an ordinary employee, her voice was drowned out. She was trembling, on the verge of a panic attacka sign her depression was returning.

I stepped in front of her, my smile calm, but my words icy. Vanessa, youll apologize to Emma in front of everyoneor Ill reveal some things youd rather keep private, right here, right now.

Mark, the Finance Manager, sidled over with his drink, patting my shoulder.

Sarah, dont be so impulsive.

Vanessa is just a straightforward person; she didnt mean anything by it. Youre in a crucial stage of your career, with limitless potential.

Its not worth getting into a fight with the bosss wife over a regular employee. Its not worth it.

Fiona, the Admin Supervisor, chimed in, a hint of disdain in her eyes as she glanced at Emma.

Exactly, Sarah. Vanessa was just kindly reminding you. Dont let your subordinates drag you down.

Shes looking out for you, dont be ungrateful.

A smug look spread across Vanessas face. She slowly pointed at Emma.

Manager Klein, I believe an employee who taints the companys atmosphere like this is a liability.

How about this, if you agree to fire her, Ill give you a fifty percent raise.

And I guarantee your department will receive the best resources. What do you say?

The private room fell silent for a few seconds, then a collective gasp went around.

Oh my goodness, a fifty percent raise!

Manager Klein hit the jackpot! Just by firing one employee, shell earn hundreds of thousands more each year.

Brenda, the HR Supervisor, immediately stood up and walked over to Emma, her tone full of disdain. The bosss wife has spoken, so hurry up and leave. What are you waiting for?

Arent you ashamed of yourself for doing such dirty things?

Emma looked up, her eyes red-rimmed.

She choked out, I didnt do anything. Why are you slandering me?

But no one paid attention to her, because the dignity of a junior employee was not worth their consideration.

I turned back to Vanessa, my smile completely gone, my eyes radiating an unyielding determination.

Vanessa, do you not understand me?

Then Ill say it again. Emma is my person, and no one touches her.

The smugness on Vanessas face froze. She clearly hadnt expected me to be so disrespectful.

Her face darkened. Sarah Klein, dont push your luck! Im the owners wife of this company!

The atmosphere in the private room instantly plummeted to freezing point. Everyone fell silent. Emma cried uncontrollably. Sarah, its alright

Dont jeopardize your future because of me. Im not worth it.

I glared at her. What are you crying for? Im here. Lets see who dares to bully you.

Vanessas chest heaved with anger. She pointed at me, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Sarah Klein, youre defending her so fiercely. Is there something unsavory going on between you two?

My colleagues gazes turned to me, filled with doubt and speculation.

Manager Kleins department always has such good performance. So, this is how they achieve it? What an eye-opener.

I used to wonder why all the companys big contracts were signed by their department. Turns out its all through selling themselves.

I placed my hands on my hips, my voice cutting through their whispers like a blade. You can spout nonsense, but you cant make baseless accusations! Slander is a crime!

Every achievement in our department is earned through everyones hard work and effort.

Emma, our top sales associate, works overtime every day until late at night. Are you all blind?

With a single baseless remark, you dismiss all her efforts and defame her character?

Are you all out of your minds?

Vanessa hadnt expected me to retort so loudly in such a situation.

She immediately put on a show of being deeply wronged, her eyes reddening, tears starting to fall.

Manager Klein, Im doing this for the good of the company! If this kind of behavior spreads, how will the company ever grow?

I know you want high performance and commissions, but we cant go against our conscience!

She cried, her face tear-streaked like a pear blossom bathed in rain. Everyone around us looked at her with sympathy.

I was a founding employee of the company, building it from the ground up with the owner, Mr. Evans.

Countless sleepless nights had led to its current scale.

Mr. Evans still held some regard in my heart. For his sake, I forced down my anger.

Vanessa, you must have seen wrong yesterday. Emma would never do such a thing.

Shes young, unmarried, and she still needs to establish herself in this industry.

A single remark from you could ruin her entire life.

Im asking you to apologize to her in front of everyone today. Is that too much to ask?

I offered her an out, but Vanessa wouldn't take it. As if gravely wronged, she clutched her stomach and crouched down.

Crying, she wailed, Oh, my stomach my baby.

Just then, the private room door opened, and Mr. Evans, the owner, walked in.

The moment he saw Vanessa crouched on the floor crying, his face instantly filled with alarm. Whats wrong, darling? What happened?

Vanessa threw herself into Mr. Evanss arms, sobbing. Honey, I just kindly reminded Manager Klein to manage her employees properly, and she was so mean to me.

You know how difficult it is for me to conceive at my age. How could she treat me like this?

Mr. Evans lovingly embraced Vanessa, comforting her constantly.

When he turned to look at me, his eyes were filled with anger and disappointment.

Sarah Klein, was that really necessary?

Weve worked side by side for over 20 years, and youd disrespect me like this?

You should also know, Im almost 50 now!

My biggest regret all these years has been not having a child of my own.

Now that Vanessa is pregnant, I want to treat her like royalty. Why are you making things difficult for her?

Meeting his anger, I calmly said, Mr. Evans, Emma is innocent. I have proof. I immediately took out my tablet from my bag and opened Emmas work schedule.

It clearly stated that she was to attend the City West Industry Summit all day yesterday.

Before Mr. Evans could speak, Vanessa leaned in.

Isnt that perfect?

The industry summit is full of rich and powerful old men. Isnt that a great opportunity for her to make connections?

I ignored her and opened my phone.

I found the official live-streaming platform for the summit and downloaded the full replay from yesterday.

I fast-forwarded the playback, and the screen clearly showed the live footage from the summit.

From 9 AM when the summit began until 8 PM when it ended, Emmas figure consistently appeared in the frame.

She had not left the venue for a single step the entire time.

I turned off my phone and looked at Mr. Evans. Mr. Evans, Emma simply didnt have the time to do what Vanessa is claiming yesterday.

Emma joined the company two years ago. In these two years, she has been diligent and hardworking.

Shes so young, its terribly unfair for her to suffer such baseless accusations.

I paused, my tone firm.

Mr. Evans, I demand that Vanessa apologize to her and allow the young woman to work and live normally.

Vanessas face turned very ugly, her eyes darting nervously.

She clutched her stomach, looking wronged. Honey, but I really wasnt lying.

My memory hasnt been good since I got pregnant, so I might have gotten the time wrong.

But I truly saw Emma go into a hotel room with a client!

I swear on the health of the baby in my belly, I absolutely did not deliberately slander her.

Mr. Evans held Vanessa even tighter, looking at me with great impatience.

I trust Vanessas character. Shes not the type of person who would deliberately slander someone.

Besides, theres no smoke without fire. If Emma really had no issues, why would she be misunderstood?

Sarah Klein, I am now telling you, as the Chairman of the company, this matter ends here!

This employee, Emma, cannot stay with the company.

You are to dismiss her immediately, right now!

Otherwise, youre out too!

Seeing Mr. Evanss outburst, the people around us quickly chimed in.

Mr. Evans is right. Such a controversial employee definitely shouldnt stay with the company.

Manager Klein, just listen to Mr. Evans. Dont insist any longer, its not worth it.

Exactly, losing your own job for an employee is too costly.

I looked at Emmas tear-reddened eyes, a pang of sadness in my heart.

My department, though small in number, was comprised of elite, hand-picked individuals.

We supported each other in this unfamiliar city.

Having worked hard together for so many years, we were like family.

Emma was the youngest in the department, and also the most dedicated.

I couldnt stand by and watch her be slandered like this.

I looked at Vanessa coldly, giving her one last chance.

Vanessa, the young woman grew up in a single-parent family.

Her father abandoned them for another woman after he became successful. Her mothers health isnt good, so shes had a very tough life.

I advise you to stop. Admit your mistake now, and it will be a good deed for the baby in your belly.

But Vanessa again clutched her stomach, her brows furrowed.

She said painfully, Honey, my stomach hurts so much.

The baby seems to know Im being bullied

Mr. Evans immediately became anxious, roaring at me, Sarah Klein! What are you waiting for? Fire Emma now!

If anything happens to Vanessa and the baby, Im not done with you!

I looked at Mr. Evanss anxious face, then at Vanessas feigned expression of suffering.

The last flicker of hesitation in my heart vanished.

A cold smile played on my lips. Alright, since theres nowhere left to retreat, I wont retreat at all.

Vanessa turned and shouted, Wheres the HR Supervisor? Get over here!