Female Novel
Chapter 892 Confronting Workplace Harassment
As Sean took a seat on the couch, he spoke, "I had already planned to settle the matter, but I neverexpected that you'd help me resolve it."
"Do you want to join me in visiting Irene at the hospital?" Abigail asked in a soft tone. "I'm headingthere in a while."
"Sure."
Sean sensed that Irene was grappling with a difficult situation. She already struggled with low self-esteem, and just as she was starting to make progress, Danielle and Floyd chose to exacerbate hertroubles.
Accompanied by Sean, Abigail went to the hospital. In the ward, Irene was alert, her foreheadadorned with a bandage.
"How is she?" Abigail directed her question at Kevin, who was beside her.
"She had five stitches," came Kevin's reply, but he had a cold expression.
She sat by the bedside, her gaze filled with guilt as she asked, "Have they been harassing you thiswhole time?"
"I can't be certain. What occurred today was simply an accident. I stumbled because of my ownclumsiness," Irene admitted, placing the blame on herself.
Kevin's anger surged as he rose from his seat. "Stop blaming yourself! They're the ones who stoleyour diary and spread it around the design department. And yet you're taking the blame? Theyviolated your privacy!"
"I understand they've infringed on my privacy, but didn't you say they'd be dealt with and sent away?Isn't that sufficient? What more do you expect? Are you suggesting I waste my time pursuing legalaction against them? Explain to me what the purpose would be." Irene asked Kevin sincerely.
"They need to experience the consequences of their actions. Otherwise, how will they ever learn?"Kevin's discontent was palpable; he couldn't abide any form of harassment, particularly when itconcerned someone close to him.
"Why should I bother?" Irene argued. "There will be others to impart lessons when they encountereven tougher challenges ahead. I'm just an ordinary person who cherishes every moment of mytime. Why should I squander it on teaching miscreants like them manners?"
Kevin felt stung by her words. She had always been impatient with him and had never shown trust.It seems as though she views me as untrustworthy as well.novelbin
"I won't invest my time in teaching them manners. Those who do wrong will face the consequencesof their actions. I'll concentrate on what I'm passionate about and strive for excellence." With a deepbreath, Irene spoke these words. She then turned to Kevin and added, "Thank you immensely foryour assistance today. I'm also grateful for Miss Quinn's support. Meeting both of you has truly beenfortunate for me. However, what you've already done is sufficient. I have no desire to be greedy."
She acknowledged the disparity in social status between herself and Abigail, Sean, and Kevin. Itwas possible that Sean and the others might also consider the places she enjoyed as beneaththem, but Irene cherished them nonetheless. Although such concerns had once troubled her, shehad learned to embrace them.
Irene recognized her destiny as an ordinary individual and resolved to lead a simple, contented lifewith gratitude. She vowed never to impose what wasn't meant for her, and this included Kevin'skindness.
Abigail gently adjusted Irene's bedding. "Rest well. Remember, you've had a head injury. Speakingloudly could trigger a headache as well."
"Understood, Miss Quinn, but really, I'm fine. There's no need for further visits. You already haveplenty to attend to. One visit is more than enough. I'm just a regular employee," Irene repliedpolitely.
"Alright. I simply wanted to check on your well-being. Don't worry about the medical bills. Thecompany will take care of it. Just concentrate on fully recovering before you're discharged," Abigailreassured Irene, rising to her full stature.
Irene's background was something they could never fully grasp. Despite her understanding andempathy, she maintained her own perspectives.
Kevin followed Abigail and Sean out of the ward, venting his frustration by hitting the wall. "Is shecompletely indifferent? Can't she see how much I care about her?"
"You might need to accept it. From what she's said, it doesn't seem like she would choose you inthis lifetime," Sean responded firmly, his gaze cold as he glanced back at the ward.
"Your worlds are worlds apart," Abigail chimed in, acknowledging that Irene's heart wasn't made ofiron; rather, Irene was resolute in her desires and choices in life. She had come to terms with beingan ordinary person.
Kevin's reluctance was unmistakable, evident in the deepening of his breath. Despite years ofquesting for love, encountering someone like Irene, who seemed as withdrawn as a turtle in itsshell, was a first for him. Despite his efforts to show his affection, she remained unmoved.
Abigail and Sean left the hospital with a sigh. "Has Irene ever thought that Kevin could be different?"
"Love makes people blind. Women who are deeply in love tend to have many unrealisticexpectations. Do you know where I first met her?" Sean asked Abigail.
Abigail shook her head gently.
"In a trendy yet ordinary shop. If the lady hadn't taken me there, I wouldn't have visited such a placein my entire life. It was also at that moment when I understood we could never be a couple," hecasually explained.
Abigail's lips formed a pout.
Even when he mentioned his blind dates, a lingering bitterness and discomfort settled deep withinher.
"Our souls share a connection beyond mere love. It's our values, knowledge, and more thatintertwine us," Sean struggled to articulate, yet he comprehended that Abigail's soul was uniquelyintertwined with his own.
Abigail responded in a soft tone, "Ultimately, Cinderella doesn't stand much of a chance to marryinto a wealthy family.."