Venus nodded. "Yes. I think a warning is enough. A suspension of three weeks is too harsh. She needs to learn from her mistakes, but I think she deserves a second chance."
Raymond studied Venus for a moment, his lips curling into a slight smile. "How come you're defending someone who literally tried to sabotage your success?"
Venus smiled, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "Well, she was my stepping stone. Every time I climb higher, someone like her tries to pull me down. But that only makes me stronger."
Raymond laughed, his deep, genuine chuckle filling the room. It was the kind of laugh that made him feel like they had known each other far longer than they actually had. "You're something else, Venus."
She grinned. "I have my moments."
Raymond leant forward, eyes twinkling. "Alright, you win. I'll reduce the suspension to one week. But you have to understand, it's company policy. We need to instill discipline."
Venus exhaled in relief, the weight lifting off her shoulders. "Thank you, sir. I really appreciate it."
As she reached for the door, Raymond's voice stopped her. "You have a kind heart, Venus."
Venus hesitated, then turned around slowly, offering him a soft smile. "Same as you are," she said, before stepping out of the office.
Outside, she felt lighter, knowing that she had done the right thing. It wasn't about letting Rose off the hook; it was about giving her a chance to change, just as Venus had once been given that chance herself.
Two hours later, the calm atmosphere in the company was broken by a sharp notification sound. Laptops dinged, phones buzzed, and murmurs started to rise like smoke from different parts of the building.
A new email had just come in. A company-wide circular from HR.
Subject: Suspension Notice
To: All Staff
From: Human Resources Department
Re: Disciplinary Action—Staff Suspension
This is to officially inform all staff that the CEO's personal assistant, Miss Rose Williams, has been placed under a one-week suspension with immediate effect for misconduct relating to an ongoing investigation. She is to hand over all company properties in her possession to the HR department, including the keys to her official car.
Thank you for your attention.
HR Department
The office buzzed like a hive disturbed by wind.
"Did you see that?" Lucia whispered to Franklin across her cubicle.
"Rose?" Franklin widened his eyes, refreshing the email. "Wow. They actually did it."
Davis leant back in his chair and gave a low whistle. "That lady's got nerve… She's been acting like she runs the whole place."
Melanie nodded slowly. "And all this because she tried to take Venus down."
On the third floor, two admin officers, Cynthia and Tara, hovered near the pantry.
"She always walked around like she was the CEO's second wife," Tara whispered, snorting. "Even the way she carried that Gucci bag as if it held the company shares."
Cynthia laughed out loud. "Hope she learns her lesson. I heard Venus pleaded for her. Venus has grace, but if it were me, that suspension would've turned into a dismissal."
They all laughed.
Meanwhile, in her office, Rose sat still, staring at her screen. The official email had landed in her inbox a few minutes before the company-wide circular.
Her heart thudded in her chest.
She read it again.
Miss Rose Williams,
You have officially been suspended for a period of one week, effective immediately, due to professional misconduct. Kindly return all company belongings in your possession to the HR department before leaving the premises.
These include:
Company-issued laptop
Access card and security badge
Company car keys
Rose's jaw tightened. Her fingers trembled as she shut her laptop slowly. She didn't realise tears had pooled in her eyes until one dropped onto her hand.
Thirty minutes later, Rose walked down the hallway towards the HR office, carrying a brown envelope and her handbag. Her heels clicked a little less confidently now.
Belinda from HR met her at the door. "Miss Williams, you can leave the items here."
Rose didn't look her in the eye. She simply handed over the envelope and company car key. "It's all there," she muttered.
Belinda nodded. "Thank you."
Rose turned and walked away without another word.
The elevator ride down to the ground floor was silent. She avoided eye contact with everyone, but whispers followed her like a shadow.
"She's finally leaving…"
"She looked pale…"
"She used to be so proud."
"Hope she cools off during her suspension."
"She should send Venus a thank-you card for not pressing more charges."
As she stepped out of the main building, the receptionist MacDonald gave her a slight nod. "Good day, Miss Williams."
She didn't reply. She just walked past him and out into the sun.
She stood at the edge of the driveway, staring at the spot where her company car usually waited. Now, it was empty.
Her pride wouldn't let her call a staff driver, so she pulled out her phone and called a cab as she moved to a nearby business complex.
"Pick me up from Atrium Heights Business Complex," she said into the phone. "I want to go to a bar in Buckhead… something quiet, not popular."
The cab driver arrived fifteen minutes later. Rose got in and shut the door behind her without saying a word.
The driver tried to make conversation as they merged into traffic. "Rough day?"
She didn't answer.
He shrugged. "Alright, Buckhead it is. There's a place called The Whispering Oak Bar, a bit tucked away and quiet. Good drinks, no noise."
"Fine," Rose replied flatly, her voice barely above a whisper.
She sat back, staring out the window as the skyline of downtown Atlanta faded into more relaxed scenery.
Her reflection on the car window stared back at her—a shadow of the confident, commanding woman who just days ago walked through the company halls like a queen bee.
Now she felt like a displaced drone.
Later that evening, the moment Venus stepped out of the elevator, the scent of hibiscus and grilled plantain floated on the breeze.
Venus pushed the door open and walked up to the kitchen.
"Grandma…"
"Hm. So the lion returns from the battlefield," her grandmother said, without looking up. "Did they crown you CEO yet?"
Venus chuckled and bent to kiss her on the cheek. "I missed this."
"Good. Now sit down and tell me everything. And don't skip the juicy parts."
Venus burst into laughter and sank into the chair besides her. "You're impossible."
"I've been called worse," her grandmother said, sipping. "Now talk."
Venus took a breath. "Rose was going to be suspended for three weeks. But… I spoke up. Asked the CEO to reduce it."
Grandma slowly turned her head and gave Venus a long, suspicious look. "You… what?"
"I asked him to reduce it to one week," Venus said, her tone softer. "I couldn't just let it happen like that. She made a mistake."
Her grandmother blinked, then burst into a sudden cackle. "Ah! This girl is either an angel or very confused. Which one are you today?"
"Grandma!"
"I'm serious! Someone tries to throw you under the bus, and you say, 'Oh no, don't punish her; maybe she just tripped over the steering wheel!'"
Venus was laughing so hard she had to hold her side. "I just didn't want to carry the grudge. Besides… maybe this will teach her something."
Grandma leant back in her chair and sighed. "You're kind. Too kind. That's dangerous in a world full of crocodiles in office suits."
"I can handle the crocodiles," Venus said with a smile. "I brought bug spray and a good lawyer."
"Now you're talking."
There was a pause. Then Grandma looked over at her. "But… I'm proud of you."
Venus blinked. "Really?"
"Of course. Not for sparing that girl—though Lord knows, I'd have let her stew in that suspension—but for staying true to yourself. That heart of yours is gold. Keep it shiny, but don't let anyone walk off with it."
Venus got up and hugged her. "Thanks, Grandma."
"Alright, enough emotions. Now go and change out of that boss-lady outfit before you wrinkle it. And don't forget to check the rice on the stove. If it burns, we're having cereal."
Venus laughed all the way to her room.
Later at Raymond Estate, the air was calm. The front lights were dim, and the gravel under Raymond's car crunched as he drove in. The door opened before he could even ring the bell.
"Good evening, young master," said Pa Alfred, upright and composed as always.
Raymond nodded, stepping inside. "Good evening, Pa Alfred."
"Dinner has been prepared. I trust the day went well?"
Raymond exhaled as he loosened his tie. "Interesting day. Rose Williams has been suspended—one week for professional misconduct."
Alfred didn't react visibly. "Understood, this is company policy."
Raymond glanced at him. "Exactly."
He poured himself a glass of water and sat down. "The interesting part is—Venus asked me to reduce the suspension."
Alfred finally raised an eyebrow. "She did what?"