"You're just trying to worm your way back into our company with this little stunt!"
"You really think I'd believe that a bunch of worthless copper coins in a jar could protect the Henson family's fortune?"
"Celine, our family supported you for three full years. That's more than enough!"
"I've already given your position to Abigail."
"As for you? We're done."
I listened to Toby's words and let out a quiet laugh.
None of it mattered to me anymore.
After all, I wasn't the one who caused any of this.
I rose slowly, gathered the coins and the shattered fragments of the jar, and placed them into a fresh bag.
Then I snapped a photo and sent it to Mentor Elara.
"Mentor, Toby brought Abigail here. She smashed the jar that held the Henson family's fortune."
The reply came almost instantly.
"If the Hensons destroyed it themselves, then it's no longer your concern."
Mentor Elara followed up with a transfer of money. She told me to take some time to relax, then come home when I was ready.
I agreed without hesitation.
I packed up the rest of my things and headed straight for the scenic district. These past few years, buried in work at the company, I'd never once taken a real vacation. Now, finally, I had the time.
But while I was enjoying myself, a push notification lit up my phone screen.
I tapped it open, and my fingers went still.
There had been an incident at the Henson company. A fire at one of their factories had torn through more than half the building.
I hadn't expected the fallout to hit them this hard, this fast.
I shook my head after a moment. Toby was the one who let Abigail smash that jar. Whatever disasters befell the Hensons now had nothing to do with me.
I set my phone down and turned to continue sightseeing.
But before I could take a single step, my phone rang.
Toby's name flashed on the screen.
"Celine, you vicious woman!"
His voice crackled with rage on the other end.
I froze. "Toby, what are you talking about?"
The words had barely left my mouth before he was shouting again. "How could you be so heartless?"
"Just because we let you go, you burned down our factory?"
I stood there, stunned.
Their factory burned down, and somehow that was my fault?
"Toby, have you lost your mind? How could I possibly have set fire to your factory?"
Impatience bled into my voice.
Before I could say another word, a second voice cut through the line. Abigail's.
"Celine, you're the one who set that fire! Don't even try to deny it!"
"We've already called the police. Just you wait. They'll be coming for you soon enough!"
