Chapter 502 - Handing out punishments (2/2)

They didn't respond. Seeing that six of them are facing her, and Director Martin is behind Sophia giving them icy treatment, they could guess that they were caught for their actions of cheating. But none of them dared to admit.

Bryan looked on the side and spotted Isabella. Fragments of previous night came back to him and he paled, remembering that he told her… things… he was not sure how much he told her. And he hoped that it was not much.

Sophia didn't delay. It was an unpleasant thing for everyone involved, and she wanted it to be finished as soon as possible. She told them that they are found out, and that what they did undermines work of many people as well as values of the company.

Samantha didn't like the position she was in. And she didn't like that Sophia was scolding her. 'Who does she think she is?'

Sophia noticed that everyone is afraid, except for Samantha who is glaring at her.

”Do you have something to say, Miss Fleming?”, Sophia addressed Samantha.

”You are doing this only because Director Martin is your fiancé.”, Samantha said through her teeth. ”You are abusing your position.”

Sophia gave her an icy look. ”As a woman, I am enjoying the fact that you got caught, because he is my fiancé. As a CEO, I need to tell you that my actions would be the same no matter if reason behind your cheating is my fiancé or not. You will be punished because you broke the rules. You schemed and altered results in an event where many employees participated. You understand that, right?”

”Punished?”, Samantha was outraged. ”How can you punish us without evidence?”

Sophia started the recording from the part where Bryan spoke: ”… that bitch Samantha it behind everything… she persuaded Denise and Nea to join her thinking that they have a chance for a dance with Director Martin… Ha! Suckers! … and the biggest sucker was me… for thinking that I have a chance with any of them…”

Sophia stopped the recording. ”Do I need to say more? Or do you want to listen to the rest of it?”

”What is the punishment?”, Denise weakly asked.

Sophia gave a small nod of appreciation that Denise didn't complain and delay the inevitable. ”All six of you will be on probation, your actions will be carefully monitored for next six months. Consider this as your final warning. Slightest mishap will cause your termination from the company. While on probation, you will get 50% of your salary. For any of you who have direct reports, they will be reassigned to other managers. In upcoming performance review, you will not be eligible for a promotion, raise or any other bonus.”

”Not acceptable!”, Samantha raged. ”Just because of a game?!”

Sophia's eyes flashed with impatience. She was on the verge to fire that rude woman. ”You are forgetting with whom you are speaking, Miss Fleming. We have evidence of your misconduct. If you cause any further problems related to this, I will not hesitate to take you to court. If you don't like it, you can always submit your resignation. That is all.” Sophia gestured toward the door.

Six people didn't move. Some dazed, some desperate and Samantha outraged. Security escorted them out.

When door closed behind them, Sophia turned to Felix. ”How was that?”

”Magnificent.” He embraced and kissed her.

Isabella looked away from the steamy scene. As she looked away, she met Leah's eyes.

”You didn't answer… lunch?”, Leah asked in a weak voice.

Isabella slightly frowned. She wanted to give a chance to Leah to explain herself, but she was not sure if Leah deserved it. She was afraid of being hurt even more, and the only way to prevent a heartbreak is to prevent anyone from coming close.

”Please?”, Leah persisted seeing that Isabella is about to reject her.

Isabella caved in. ”OK.”

Leah exhaled in relief and smiled. ”I will make reservation.”, she headed out to her office.