Chapter 8 - The Fall of Human Resources
As Daniel’s defense collapsed, the spotlight shifted to the woman trembling beside him.
Melissa Grant was hyperventilating, her hands clutching her designer bag as if it were a life preserver. Ellen Price turned her piercing gaze upon the HR Director.
“Melissa,” Ellen began softly. “In your capacity as Vice President of Human Resources, you have an affirmative obligation under federal labor laws to investigate claims of workplace harassment, physical assault, and retaliation.”
“I... I was trying to de-escalate the room!” Melissa stammered, tears welling in her mascara-rimmed eyes. “Margaret is difficult. Everyone knows how she gets. I was going to interview Ethan this morning—I swear I was!”
Marcus Vance slid a secondary folder toward her.
“Then how do you explain these emails, Melissa?” Vance asked. “At 10:15 PM last night, while Ethan Carter was preparing his report, you accessed the HR information system and manually drafted an expedited termination letter citing ‘gross insubordination and violent workplace disruption.’ You altered the incident logs to state that Ethan initiated physical contact with Mrs. Whitmore.”
Melissa’s jaw dropped. “I... Daniel told me—”
“Daniel does not override federal obstruction laws,” Vance interrupted sharply. “By falsifying an official HR incident report to protect an executive from criminal liability and punishing a reporting employee, you have committed active spoliation of evidence.”
“I was just doing what the CEO instructed!” Melissa sobbed, burying her face in her hands. “I have a family! I have a mortgage!”
“You had an ethical and legal duty to protect the employees of this organization,” Ellen Price stated without mercy. “Instead, you chose to act as an enabler for systemic abuse and fraud.”
Ellen looked at the HR director with utter disdain.
“Melissa Grant, effective immediately, you are suspended from your duties without pay pending a comprehensive audit of all HR records over your seven-year tenure. Security will escort you off the premises. You are not to contact any company personnel, and you are instructed to retain your own criminal defense counsel.”
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Two building security guards entered the room. Melissa stood up, sobbing openly, her head bowed in disgrace as dozens of employees watched through the glass walls while she was escorted out through the lobby turnstiles into the biting winter cold.
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