chapter 9
Before Rita could respond to Margaret’s veiled threat, a calm voice interrupted the unfolding scene. “Margaret,” the voice said, firm but composed, “I think that’s enough.”
Everyone turned to see Daniel, a marketing analyst who rarely drew attention to himself. His presence was unassuming, yet in this moment, his confidence filled the room, commanding respect. Daniel walked toward Rita’s desk, his sharp blue eyes locking onto Margaret’s with an unyielding determination that immediately silenced her.
“Why do you find it necessary to humiliate a colleague in front of everyone?” he asked, his tone even but cutting. “This is a professional workplace, not a tabloid.”
Margaret’s lips parted in surprise, her usual arrogance faltering under Daniel’s scrutiny. “I don’t know what you mean,” she replied, though her voice lacked conviction. “I was simply addressing the concerns circulating within the office.”
“Concerns that you’ve clearly fueled,” Daniel shot back without hesitation. “Let me remind you that spreading baseless rumors is not only petty but also unbecoming of someone in your position.”
Rita watched Daniel carefully, unsure of his motives but grateful for the unexpected intervention. Margaret’s face darkened, her frustration bubbling beneath the surface. “This isn’t your concern, Daniel,” she snapped, her voice trembling with indignation.
“Actually, it is,” Daniel replied, standing his ground. “When someone’s reputation is being unjustly tarnished, it becomes everyone’s concern.”
He turned to the employees who had been watching the drama unfold like spectators at a theater. “Let me ask you all something,” he said, his voice rising slightly. “Have any of you taken the time to actually talk to Rita? To get to know her and understand her story? Or have you all blindly accepted a distorted narrative because it’s easier than thinking for yourselves?”
The employees exchanged uncomfortable glances, their earlier amusement now replaced by guilt. Daniel’s words cut deeper than they expected, forcing them to reevaluate their actions.
“And Margaret,” Daniel continued, turning his focus back to her. “As someone who’s been here far longer than most, you should be setting an example—not tearing down others to elevate yourself. If you have an issue with Rita, address it privately and professionally. Don’t hide behind gossip and theatrics.”
Margaret’s face flushed with embarrassment, her earlier confidence shattered. She opened her mouth to respond but quickly realized there was nothing she could say to justify her actions.
“Thank you, Daniel,” Rita finally said, her voice steady despite the emotions coursing through her. “Your words mean more than you know.”
Daniel turned to Rita and smiled warmly. “I just believe in fairness,” he said simply. “And you deserve that, like anyone else.”
Margaret, unable to withstand the tension any longer, stormed off to her office, her heels clicking furiously against the floor. The room remained silent, the employees too stunned to resume their work. Daniel nodded at Rita before returning to his desk, leaving her to process the unexpected turn of events.
As the day wore on, Rita couldn’t help but wonder about Daniel’s sudden intervention. She had noticed him before—his quiet demeanor and thoughtful approach to work—but this moment revealed a depth she hadn’t expected. Little did she know, Daniel had been keeping an eye on her for reasons she couldn’t yet understand.
Unbeknownst to Rita, her brother Nathan had personally hired Daniel to watch over her and ensure her safety. Daniel was far more than a marketing analyst—he was a discreet guardian, entrusted with the task of protecting Rita from the toxicity brewing within the company. His actions that day had been calculated, designed to expose Margaret’s cruelty while preserving Rita’s dignity.
As the office began to settle, Rita felt a newfound sense of strength. Margaret’s attempts to undermine her had backfired spectacularly, thanks to Daniel’s intervention. But Rita knew the battle was far from over. The jealousy and resentment in the workplace ran deep, and Margaret wouldn’t stay quiet for long.
Still, Rita was determined to rise above it all. With allies like Daniel and the strength she had cultivated within herself, she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Nathan paced his lavish office, his mind racing with worry. Rita’s resolve amazed him, but watching her endure the constant attacks and jealousy from her colleagues felt like a dagger in his chest. Her patience was admirable, but even the strongest needed relief. He couldn’t stand the thought of her suffering in silence any longer.
After careful consideration, he began devising a plan—a bold move that would put an end to the ridicule once and for all. If the world couldn’t see the brilliance and integrity of Rita’s character on their own, then it was time to make them see. He decided it was time for the company to know who she really was.
Nathan reached for his phone and called Karen, his trusted assistant. “Karen, I want you to arrange a company-wide meeting for this Sunday afternoon,” he said firmly. “Make sure every department head and executive is present. It will be an announcement they won’t forget.”
Karen hesitated for a moment. “Sunday, sir? That’s highly unusual. May I ask the purpose of this meeting?”
“You’ll know soon enough,” Nathan replied cryptically. “For now, just ensure everyone’s attendance. Oh, and don’t breathe a word of this to my sister.”
Karen agreed, though her curiosity was piqued, and began setting the wheels in motion.
Meanwhile, Rita worked late into the evening, unaware of her brother’s secret plan. As determined as she was to prove herself, she couldn’t ignore the undercurrent of tension in the office. The gossip and judgment hadn’t disappeared entirely, but they had become subtler, more insidious. It was like navigating a minefield.
Her focus was so intense that she didn’t notice Nathan approaching until he leaned casually against the doorframe. “Hey, you’ve been at it for hours,” he said, his tone light. “How about taking a break?”
Rita looked up, startled, but smiled faintly. “I’m fine, Nathan. I’ve got a lot to finish.”
Nathan walked over to her desk and perched on the edge of it, his eyes studying her. “Rita, you’re doing great, but I can see how much this is wearing you down. You’ve been fighting an uphill battle, and I think it’s time for a change.”
Rita furrowed her brow, sensing something in his tone. “What kind of change?”
Nathan hesitated, then decided to come clean. “I’ve planned something for this weekend—a meeting with the entire company. It’s time for people to know who you really are.”
Rita’s eyes widened. “You’re revealing my identity?”
“I think it’s for the best,” Nathan said gently. “You’ve endured enough, Rita. Once they know who you are, the dynamic will change. They’ll respect you, or at the very least, they’ll think twice before targeting you.”
Rita leaned back in her chair, processing his words. A part of her was relieved—being able to work without the constant shadow of judgment would certainly make things easier. But another part of her resisted. “Nathan, I wanted to do this on my own terms,” she said softly. “I didn’t want to use my name as a shield.”
“And you haven’t,” Nathan replied firmly. “You’ve proven yourself in ways they could never understand. But, Rita, your name isn’t just a shield—it’s part of who you are. You’re a Moreau, and that’s not something you should have to hide.”
Rita fell silent, the weight of her brother’s words sinking in. Slowly, she nodded. “Alright,” she said. “If you think it’s the right thing to do, I’ll support it. But I want it to be handled with care. This can’t be about intimidating anyone—it has to be about setting the record straight.”
Nathan smiled, relief washing over him. “That’s my sister. Don’t worry; I’ll make sure it’s done right.”
By the time Sunday arrived, the company’s employees were buzzing with curiosity. Rumors of a major announcement had spread, but no one knew exactly what to expect. The boardroom was packed, every seat filled with department heads, executives, and curious onlookers.
Rita sat beside Nathan at the front of the room, her nerves carefully hidden behind a calm exterior. Her father, Richard Moreau, was also in attendance, his imposing presence adding gravity to the occasion.