"I'm sorry, Ma'am. Please give me another chance," Lily begged.
"No. My husband said you tried to seduce him," Ms. Carson replied coldly.
"That's not true, Ma'am. He said he'd promote me—if I gave myself to him. I refused," Lily explained, her voice shaking.
"What?" Ms. Carson turned sharply to her husband. "Is that true, Mr. Carson?"
"No, honey, she's lying! She's just trying to ruin us—to break us apart!" Mr. Carson said, defensive and agitated.
Lily rolled her eyes inwardly. I'm telling the truth. And I'm not the only one he's made that kind of offer to. People have been whispering about his affairs for months. No wonder the company's falling apart.
"Lily, you're fired for this accusation. I won't tolerate such behavior in my company," Mrs. Carson said firmly.
"I understand, Ma'am. If that's your decision, I accept it," Lily said quietly.
She packed her things and walked out of Carson Company. The moment she stepped outside, tears she'd been holding back finally fell. She had only told the truth. Why was honesty punished so harshly? How was she supposed to reclaim her family's farmland now? What about her dad's chemotherapy?
"No, Lily. You were just being honest. Don't blame yourself. You have to stay strong—for your family. You've made it this far," she told herself.
Not wanting her parents to see her crying, she went to her usual quiet spot—her and her friends' favorite hangout.
"Lily!" a familiar voice called out.
It was Sarina.
Sarina Mortalges—Lily's best friend since elementary school. The daughter of a Belgian business tycoon and sister to Dr. Keir Mortalges, who was currently in the Philippines helping set up a new hospital.
With her was Maxine Crown—Sarina's girlfriend and the granddaughter of Riot Crown, a famous neurologist in Italy and a member of the royal family.
"Zoning out again?" Sarina asked, walking over.
"Sorry... just had a lot on my mind," Lily replied.
"Don't tell me you got fired again?" Maxine asked.
"Yep. Mr. Carson said he'd promote me if I gave myself to him," Lily muttered.
"Ugh, that creep," Sarina snapped. "He has a history of cheating!"
"It's fine. I'll just look for another job," Lily sighed.
"I'll talk to my brother," Sarina offered. "You know you're family to us."
"Thank you. You've already done so much for me—I'm honestly embarrassed," Lily said, touched.
"Don't be. And besides," Sarina grinned, "we know you used to have a crush on my brother."
"Sarina! That was years ago—we were in high school!" Lily groaned, rolling her eyes.
"She never told us about liking anyone else," Maxine added teasingly. "Are you even human?"
"See? First love never dies," Sarina laughed.
"Haha! Says the one who fell for her brother's friend—Lorch, the childish womanizer," Maxine teased, nudging Sarina.
"I wish I hadn't taken him seriously," Sarina said, facepalming. "He turned out to be the worst."
Maxine smiled and held Sarina's hand. "You've got better taste now."
Sarina smiled back, squeezing her hand.
"So, what are your plans now?" Maxine asked.
"I'm planning to ask my brother to help me find something more stable for you Lily," Sarina said.
"Well, I really appreciate you both," Lily said sincerely. "But I'll keep job hunting too."
"Let's take a break for now," Maxine said gently. "You're under too much stress."
"She's right," Sarina agreed. "Come hang out with us for a while. We've got your back."
"If you're worried about your parents, we'll talk to them," Maxine said.
---
Later that evening...
"Mom, Dad…" Lily called as she stepped into the house.
"Oh, Auntie Bea, where are they?" she asked.
"They're in the kitchen," Bea replied.
"Lily," her parents greeted her warmly.
"Uncle, Auntie," Sarina and Maxine greeted as they followed Lily inside.
"Come in, everyone. Let's eat dinner together," her mom said.
Sarina and Maxine greeted her parents with a kiss on the cheek.
"How are you, Uncle?" Sarina asked politely.
"I'm doing okay, kids. Don't worry about me," Dad said.
"Bea, could you bring a few more utensils?" Mom asked kindly.
Dinner began with warm conversation and laughter.
"Auntie, your cooking's still the best. I hope Lily inherited your skills," Maxine teased.
"Excuse me? I am a good cook!" Lily said with mock offense.
"And she definitely inherited Auntie Harmony's beauty," Bea added, smiling.
"Uh-oh, someone's head is going to get big," Sarina joked.
"Uncle, Auntie," Maxine spoke up after a while, "we actually came to ask your permission to take Lily out for a while—just to help her relax."
"Is something going on, Lily?" her dad asked, his voice tinged with concern.
"She got fired, Uncle," Sarina said seriously. "Her boss—Mr. Carson—tried to make a move on her, then lied and said she tried to seduce him."
"What?" her father's expression darkened.
"It's good you left that place, Lily. Who knows what could've happened if you stayed," her mother said, worried but relieved.
"I'm sorry, Mom, Dad… I really did my best. I even told Mrs. Carson the truth, but she wouldn't believe me," Lily said, her voice cracking.
"Don't say sorry, sweetheart. If I hadn't gotten sick, maybe…" Dad began, his voice filled with regret.
"No, honey," Mom interrupted softly, placing a hand over his. "This isn't anyone's fault. The flower shop is still earning, and Lily will find a better, safer job soon," she said, her tone warm and reassuring.
"Yes, Auntie. I'll ask my brother to help Lily find a job where she'll be safe," Sarina promised with a nod.
"So, Uncle, Auntie," Maxine added with a bright smile, "we'll take Lily with us for now. Don't worry—we'll take good care of our best friend."
"Thank you so much, girls. Take care," Mom said kindly, her eyes full of gratitude.
"No boys allowed," Dad added firmly, earning a small laugh from the girls.
---
Later, at Maxine's house, the three young women were busy choosing outfits—laughing, chatting, and trying to shake off the weight of the the past days.
But somewhere else, far from the comfort of their little world.
"Where could she be, Honey? It's been almost twelve years… I miss my baby Stella," a woman said, her voice trembling with emotion as she clutched a faded photo to her chest.
"Get out! You're all useless!" her son roared at the group of investigators in the room. "After all this time, you still haven't found even the slightest clue to help us find our one and only princess!"
"Soon, my love… soon we'll be with baby Stella again," the elderly man whispered, wrapping an arm around his grieving wife as her shoulders shook.
"We miss you, Princess…"