Chapter 9: Got Fired

"I want her to get fired!"

Those were exactly what Judson said as he fixed his piercing gaze on Tamara, his voice was still strained from the allergic reaction. Despite his weakened condition, his face contorted with frustration and anger as he forcefully expressed his demand.

He conveyed his intentions with a sharp and commanding tone, like a verdict that seemed to reverberate around the room. The crushing force of his words hung heavily in the air, casting a sudden and chilling tension over the previously lively and cheerful ambiance of the restaurant.

His words hit Tamara hard. Her heart sank, and she shivered with fear. She was taken aback and overwhelmed by anxiety. His demand for her to be fired was both sudden and severe, leaving her feeling powerless against his authority and anger.

"I... I... Not a chance, sir," Tamara stammered, struggling to find her voice in the face of Judson's demand.

Ronan shifted his gaze towards Tamara, his face reflecting his worry and resolve as he carefully evaluated the circumstances.

He calmly spoke to Judson, "Mr. Beauregard, I understand your concern, but it would be wise to avoid making impulsive decisions. Could we please have a private conversation to discuss this matter and find a resolution that is beneficial for everyone involved?”

Judson clenched his jaw in irritation, his gaze unwavering. After a tense moment, he shook his head and said, "No, I want her gone now. There's nothing to discuss."

With growing increasingly concerned, Ronan responded, "Mr. Beauregard, I assure you this was not intentional. We take allergies seriously here, and we'll thoroughly investigate what went wrong with your order. However, please remember that she is just the waitress here. She didn't prepare the food or make the menu choices. Let's handle this situation calmly and responsibly."

Tamara's heart raced, and her voice trembled as she tried to plead her case. "Mr. Beauregard, I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I would never want to harm you intentionally. I just want to do my job and make things right."

Judson's expression remained stern as he retorted, "Your intentions don't change the fact that I could have died because of your negligence. I won't tolerate such carelessness, and I expect consequences for your actions."

"Sir, I'm genuinely sorry for what happened, but I'm also confused. I served the dishes as ordered, and I don't know what caused this allergic reaction. I'd never intentionally put anyone's life at risk."

"I didn't order that dessert, and I had no idea it contained hazelnuts, which triggered this reaction. But that doesn't change the fact that it happened, and I'm holding you responsible for my suffering."

Ronan turned to look at Tamara and asked, "Can you confirm the details of the dessert? Was the hazelnut-containing dessert a part of it?"

She replied with a nervous tone, "Well, it was a truffle-shaped ice cream Italian dessert, made with hazelnuts or other nuts. It was ordered for all the VIP guests, but I wasn't aware of your allergy, Mr. Beauregard. I apologize for any oversight on our part."

"I see,” Ronan replied and then turned to Judson, “Mr. Beauregard, we should have been more careful to make sure that everyone's food allergies and food tastes were taken into account. I'll look into this further myself to find out where the mistake was made. Between now and then, we'll do everything we can to make sure you're safe from harm."

"I want you to think about how serious this is. I think it's best for your business to take this seriously and fire her who caused this incident," Judson insisted.

Ronan exchanged a quick glance with Tamara, silently communicating his support and understanding of the difficult situation. He took a deep breath, trying to ease the tension in the room. Then he said in a firm voice, "Mr. Beauregard, I know you're worried, and I'm very sorry about what happened. We'll thoroughly look into what happened. But let's not decide anything hastily right now. I promise that we’ll do everything we can to make things right. Perhaps we can discuss compensation for the inconvenience and suffering you've experienced?"

Showing genuine concern for Judson's health, he added, "Mr. Beauregard, I'm also suggesting that we send you to the hospital to ensure you receive proper medical attention and care. Once that is taken care of, we can continue our discussion about the incident."

Judson, still fuming with frustration, snapped, "I don't want your compensation and no more private talk. I want her gone!"

His words kept playing over and over in her mind like a steady heartbeat, and each thud made her even more frustrated.

Damn it! What a pig-headed jerk! Why couldn't that food allergy just do its job and be done with it? She muttered under her breath, her voice a venomous whisper, showing how frustrated and powerless she felt about the situation.

Tamara clenched her fists in frustration, her heart pounding with anger at his callous words. But deep down, she knew that showing her anger wouldn't help her in this dangerous position. She didn't say a word as she listened to his ridiculous requests. At that time, she realized that the only way to keep her fragile situation was to keep quiet, even though every part of her wanted to scream out her helplessness and anger.

The weight of Judson's accusations fell heavy on her shoulders. Her workplace had turned into a battle, and each day brought a new layer of tension and distrust. The once-familiar restaurant where she used to work now made her feel like she was in a hostile castle.

She found herself in a very scary situation where she had to decide quickly whether to quit her job or defend herself against the accusations that could ruin her image.

As she thought about quitting, she started feeling tired. Leaving the restaurant where she'd worked hard for a while broke her heart. The relationships she had built with her coworkers and usual customers were very important to her.

Stepping away would mean disrupting her life and the lives of her ill mother and selfish sister, who depended on her support. The idea of getting a new job and being financially stable outside of the restaurant seemed like a hard thing to do.

On the other hand, Tamara felt a fire of determination burning in her. She knew she was innocent and that the charges put against her were wrong. But she couldn't stand the thought of letting these false accusations ruin her image and ruin her chances for the future. If she chose to stand up for herself, it would mean confronting Judson and seeking the truth.

Putting up a defense was a scary idea. To clear her name, she would have to collect evidence, find witnesses, and perhaps even take legal action. She knew that this road would come with hurdles and risks. Defending herself meant standing up for her integrity and showing she was innocent, even if it meant facing Judson's anger and not knowing what would happen.

"Look, I don't have all day. Let's wrap this up fast before it gets even messier," Judson quipped.

Tamara exchanged another glance with Ronan before making her decision. With a heavy heart, she looked at him and said, "I've made up my mind. I think it's best if I resign from my job. I believe by stepping away, I can actually help save the restaurant's reputation. This incident has created a lot of tension, and I don't want that to affect the place we all love. It's the best way to protect what we've built here."

Ronan shot her a disapproving glance, but he knew that he had no choice. When it came to dealing with someone as influential as Judson, his hands and tongue were tied.

Judson leaned forward, a hint of smugness in his hoarse voice. "Well, it's a wise decision. I'm glad we could resolve this quickly."

Tamara cast an intense look at Judson. Her tone turned firm and harsh as she confronted him. "Mr. Beauregard, don't think this is the end of it. I suggest you should take my manager's advice and go to the hospital to get checked out and rest. I hope you'll use this time to reflect on your baseless accusations. The truth matters, not just for me, but for the sake of justice," she declared, her words cutting through the tension and leaving Judson visibly startled by her stern stance.

With those words, she swiftly exited the room, leaving both Ronan and a visibly stunned Judson behind, her words hanging in the air like an unspoken challenge.

As she said clearly, this wasn't the end; it marked the beginning of her battle with Judson Beauregard.