Chapter 39
But then, to everyone’s surprise, Kelly continued, “But that’s a separate matter, Gavin touched me just now. That’s serial harassment,
Het voice was firm and unwaverine
Caleb’s face darkened immediately. Standing beside him, Gavin’s eyes flickered with pande.
calling the police.”
Sitting inside the police station, kelle suddenly began to regret calling the police. After they arrived, the officer’s attitude was perfunctory, possibly because she was young. He appeared to side with Gavin and caleb.
“The store’s security cameras have been broken for a while. Kelly knows that as well. There’s evidence tavin touched her, officer, you know that in the workplace, some accidental contact is inevitable.
“Gavin said Kelly was standing near the register, and he was teaching for straws and spoons. If he accidentally brushed against her, it wasn’t intentional, Gavin’s benaderentur his whole life. He doesn’t have the guts to do something like that
“I’m guessing Kelly didn’t mean to falsely accuse him either. How about this? She’s already finishing her shift tonight and won’t be working for me anymore. I’ll rive her an extra 200 dollars in her final pay.
“Let’s part ways peacefully. I’m really sorry to trouble you over something like this,”
Kelly’s hands shook uncontrollably. She couldn’t determine if it was fueled by rage or the despair of feeling utterly defenseless
The officer walked over to her, looking down at her condescendingly. “Sexual harassment is hard to define to begin with And now, you don’t have any evidence to prove your claim. You heard what your boss said. He’s willing to give you an extra 200 dollars. Just let it go.
“You’re just a student: If word of this gets out at your school, it could have serious consequences for you. He seems like a decent, trustworthy guy. Not the type to do something like that.”
Kelly’s eyes narrowed. She looked up at the officer and asked, “So, you’re saying I’m lying?”
The officer shrugged, his tone indifferent. “I didn’t say that. But if you’re claiming he touched you, you need evidence. Without proof, we can’t arrest him “Isn’t it your job as the police to find evidence? I’m not lying Kelly’s voice trembled, her lips quivering with helplessness.
“There’s no witness, no physical evidence. You’re both telling different stories. We’re not magicians. We can’t just conjure up evidence don’t have time to drag this out.
You’re short on money, right? Just take the 200 dollars, sign the settlement agreement, and let’s consider this done.”
e for you. Now, enough. We
This wasn’t how it was supposed to be Kelly’s inner turmoil clawed at her, like a swarm of insects ravaging her insides. The despair and pain she had kept at bay were threatening to erupt.
But then, she suddenly remembered back to middle school when she was bullied by her classmates. She had gone to the teacher for help, and that was when Helena showed up at the school and slapped her in front of everyone.
She scolded Kelly for causing trouble, for making such a big deal out of it. She told her that now everyone was laughing at their family.
Helena’s face at that moment overlapped with the officer’s expression, and Kelly felt her mind grow dizzy and heavy. All that pain and despair suddenly turned
Like a puppet on strings, she took the pen the officer pressed into her palm and signed her name on the settlement agreement.
“Alright. Make a call, and have your family come pick you up.”
”
Kelly seemed to snap out of her daze, staring blankly at the officer. “C–Could you not call my family
Her face was pale, and she looked like she was in a daze.
The officer’s tone was firm “No, you’re still a student. Your family needs to come get you.”
In the office, Lron had just stood up, preparing to head to The Sippery to pick up Kelly, when he received her call. Her subdued tone on the other end made his brow
furrow.
“Leon, can you come to the police station?”
