Boss Blackmails Poor Girl With Her Private Photo He Found, Gets What He Deserves Later – Story of the Day

Victoria accidentally sends an intimate selfie to her boss, Romero, instead of her husband. Seizing on the opportunity to advance his career and step on his colleagues, Romero uses the image to blackmail Victoria, but his scheme soon falls apart when Victoria turns the tables on him.

After a long day at the prestigious agency where she worked as a senior interior designer, Victoria liked nothing better than to take a long, hot shower and relax with a soothing cup of Chamomile tea until her husband, Simon, arrived home.

And this day was like any other, except for one big difference: Simon was away on business, so that cup of tea would be enjoyed in the company of just her Persian cat and the last remaining rays of sunshine streaming in through the elegant bay windows fronting the house in a leafy suburb.

The day had been a whirlwind of creativity and innovation surrounding a new project she was working on, and she was tired and distracted.

Given their famous rock singer client's tight budget and high expectations, she had much on her mind about how she and her team would pull this off.

Just as she was undressing for her shower, her dress sliding down over her shapely legs, Victoria's phone pinged over on the bed where she had left it. That'll be Simon, she thought, punctual as usual, checking in on her day.

Hi hon, all good? Read the text message from her husband, his caller ID appearing on the phone screen as "Babe".

All good, babe. Long day, just about to take a shower, then I'll call you xxx. Victoria replied.

Cool. Are you naked? Send me a pic :). Simon came back suggestively.

Haha, you wish! Victoria joked back. But since she was down to her underwear, she decided to make her husband's day and send him a sexy selfie.

She posed for a full-bodied photo, snapped it, and was just about to send it when she heard the steam kettle whistling from the kitchen; she had set it to boil on the stovetop and completely forgotten about it.

"Oops!" she yelped to herself, dropping her phone on the bed and running out. A moment later, she came back into the bedroom, slipped off her underwear, and stepped into the shower.

A second later, as the water began to burble out of the faucet, Victoria peered around the shower door and said towards her phone on the bed: "Siri, text the last photo to my babe."

Mishearing the intended recipient of the photo, Siri, the virtual assistant, responded: "Certainly, texting the last picture to 'my boss'".

Victoria did not hear this above the whooshing sound of the water, and she ducked her head blissfully, unknowingly, back into the shower.

***

The early sun filtered through the sleek, modern windows of the design agency, bathing Victoria's office in gold.

She was deeply engrossed in reviewing a set of drawings, her attention to detail evident in how she meticulously annotated the designs.

She had always been the kind of person who could transform spaces into captivating environments, and her ten years of experience had honed her skills to perfection.

With a keen eye for color and lighting, Victoria excelled at handling home renovations for the high net-worth individuals who were the agency's main clients, ensuring seamless client interaction and team coordination.

"This needs to pop with color," she whispered to herself. She reached for her iPhone, gleaming in the morning light on her desk. Victoria habitually took pictures of her work-in-progress to document her creative process.

She lifted her phone and, flipping to her text message app for a quick scan, was horrified to discover her mistake. "Oh my god! She blurted out in shock."

The tell-tale double blue ticks told her the worst: her immediate boss, the company's project manager, Romero—whom she did not like at all—had received the photo of her mostly in the nude.

She instantly deleted it from the message thread but she knew that did not guarantee the permanent demise of the picture; he might have saved it to his phone's gallery.

Just then, a voice boomed at her door, and Victoria was so startled she dropped her phone onto her desk with a clang and let out a small cry.

It was Romero at her door. He leaned in casually and said, "Oh, Vicky, a word please, dearie, in my office." Was that a smirk on his face? Victoria could not help thinking.

Victoria found herself sitting nervously across from Romero in his well-appointed office. He was engrossed in reviewing the initial project outline document that Victoria had submitted.

"Victoria, I've been reviewing your outlines," Romero said, his tone carrying a hint of mischief. "Interesting choice of color palette for this one. The homeowner is a heavy metal legend. I don't know if the light and breezy feeling you're proposing here is going to work for him, but I admire your boldness."

Victoria fidgeted in her seat, her confidence wavering. "Thank you, Romero. I wanted to try something different."

Romero leaned in, his gaze intense. "But, Victoria, the real question is, are YOU ready for something different?"

Victoria felt her heart rate rise. She wasn't sure where Romero was going with this line of questioning.

"Of course," Victoria replied, her voice unsteady. "I'm always open to new challenges."

Romero gave a knowing smile as if he was privy to a secret. "Well, Victoria, there is indeed something quite different in the pipeline for you," he said.

But Victoria didn't realize that Romero had sinister plans in mind. Plans that involved a secret agenda, her career, and a picture she wished had never been taken.

"It's good you like a challenge," Romero said. "Now, I might just be privy to some news about such a challenge, but before I get to that, you and I have a little secret between us to talk about, don't we?"

Victoria sighed. "I didn't mean to send that to you, Romero. I took it for my husband and sent it to you totally by mistake."

"Oh really, is that so?" Romero asked sarcastically. "I must say, I'm disappointed to hear that. For a moment, I thought you might finally be acknowledging this chemistry between us and—"

"Believe me," Victoria said, cutting Romero off, "there is absolutely no chemistry between us; I have nothing but professional respect for you. That photo was for my husband and no one else. I'd appreciate it if you could please delete it and forget this ever happened, and let's just get on with the job."

"Ah, how sad," Romero said dismissively. "Well, I'll just try and get over it then. What I really called you in here for is the big secret. Our CEO, Edward, in his wisdom, told me that he has decided to promote you to be co-project manager alongside me."

"That's great news!" Victoria gushed with a clap of her hands. She'd been working hard for this over the past few years. It was time to step up to more responsibility and prestige, and the salary bump would be most welcome.

"I've been aiming for this for some time; I'm ready," Victoria reiterated.

"Now, don't get too excited," Romero countered. "I have a say in this matter, and you're not going to like it. There's something I want you to do when the offer comes."

Victoria leaned in, eager to hear what was expected of her. She had no idea that Romero was about to drop a bombshell.

"You must decline it," Romero hissed. "Say you're not ready for the responsibility."

Victoria was taken aback. Her mind raced with confusion. "What? Why would I do that, Romero? I certainly am ready and will do a very good job."

Romero smiled, enjoying every moment of her discomfort. "Because, my dear, if you don't, I might have to show Edward a certain little selfie you sent me."

Victoria paled; her eyes began to burn with anger. Her accidental selfie had become a weapon in Romero's hands that he was more than willing to use.

Romero leaned back in his chair, his grin widening. "You'll do as I say, Victoria. It's a small world here, and Edward won't take kindly to a compromising workplace affair."

"There is absolutely no chance of an affair between us, Romero; you can get that out of your mind right now," Victoria said.

"Oh, and how can anyone know that for certain? It's your word against mine. Anyway, that's beside the point. I don't want you stepping on my toes. This is my project to lead. I prefer to work alone and can't have someone else, a beginner, muddling things up. No, you will refuse the promotion, or…" Romero broke off.

He tapped a few keys on his phone and held it up for Victoria to see. He had indeed saved her semi-naked selfie, and his intentions to blackmail her with it were now clear.

Victoria felt trapped; her career and personal aspirations now hung in the balance. She couldn't let Romero reveal the embarrassing photo to Edward or anyone else, but she also couldn't walk away from the promotion she had worked so hard to earn.

She decided that she would reflect on rather than react to this awful predicament. She did not want to aggravate Romero and couldn't be sure that senior management would see her side of the story.

Victoria said nothing as she stood, turned her back on Romero, and walked out of his office, her mind racing. She knew she had to find way out of this bind; the deeper she was dragged into this web of deception, the more complicated things would become.

A storm of intrigue was brewing in the world of high-end interior design, and Victoria was about to find herself at the center of it.

Some of Victoria's coworkers watched her leave Romero's office, their curiosity piqued. Gossip began to spread like wildfire.

"I wonder what just went down in there?" Jane whispered to the coworker in the cubicle alongside her. "Did you see the look on Victoria's face when she came out of Romero's office?"

The coworker, Cedric, nodded. "She looked like she was on the verge of tears. Do you think she was fired?"

"Fired?" Jane retorted. "She's our best designer; why would they fire her?"

"Yeah," Cedric agreed.

Back at her desk, Victoria's phone buzzed with a message from Simon. What's happening, babe? You've been quiet today? It read.

Having some stress at work, Victoria replied. Will figure it out, though, so don't worry. Chat later.

Her relationship with Simon had always been solid and a source of comfort, but now she began worrying that this mix-up would somehow affect them both. She resolved to keep him in the dark about it for the time being.

Victoria couldn't let her fear and uncertainty show, so she put on a brave face, continued working on her project designs, and started compiling the corresponding cost estimations.

As the day progressed, Victoria couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped in this web of deception. She knew she had to confront Romero and find a way out of this situation. The risk of her career being ruined by a scandalous rumor, or worse, was too great to ignore.

A day passed since the unsettling encounter with Romero in his office. The threat that loomed over Victoria was like a dark cloud, casting a shadow on her every move.

Her once-vibrant spirit was now dimmed, her enthusiasm dulled by the relentless fear of the compromising photo Romero held as leverage.

Victoria sat in her office, fingers tapping nervously on her keyboard as she reviewed her design proposal for the celebrity home renovation project. Her thoughts were a whirlwind of anxiety, and she couldn't help but replay Romero's ominous words in her mind.

"I have to focus. I can't let Romero win," she muttered to herself, determined to regain control over her life.

The Slack message came unexpectedly, a stark interruption in her otherwise quiet morning. It was from the CEO's personal assistant: Edward wants to see you in his office, it read.

Victoria's heart raced as she read the message. She knew that this summons was not just any routine meeting. It was a meeting with a man whose power and authority were unquestionable.

Victoria's hands trembled slightly as she gathered her iPad and some printed material and made her way to Edward's office.

Edward's office was unpretentiously decorated, not as one might expect for the space of influence and decision-making it was. He sat behind his slim desk, a figure of calm and composure.

Victoria entered nervously and floated in front of the chart Edward had placed on the whiteboard in preparation for Victoria's presentation.

Edward offered a warm smile, cutting through the unease gnawing at Victoria's insides. His eyes glowed with the pleasure of seeing her and his eagerness to hear her ideas.

Victoria placed the folder of print-outs on Edward's desk, trying hard to reign in the nervous jitters that threatened to overcome her.

She had worked long hours on her proposal, hoping it would be the key to project management status, and now Romero's threat stood in her way.

"I've been looking forward to seeing your proposal for the celebrity home renovation," Edward began, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "Everyone on the team has talked about your vision, and I'm eager to hear it straight from you."

Victoria took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly as she opened her iPad cover and lit the screen. She was about to unveil her creative ideas, a vision that aimed to transform the celebrity home into a spectacle.

Her voice trembled at the start, but soon, she found her rhythm, her passion driving her words. She spoke of elegance, luxury, and individuality, emphasizing her attention to every intricate detail.

"This project aims not only to showcase luxury but also to reflect the unique personality of the celebrity homeowner," Victoria explained, her eyes shining with conviction.

As she continued, Romero's threat began to play on her mind, distracting her terribly. "The color palette, um… the color will…" she faltered, losing her train of thought.

Edward raised his eyebrows in surprise but said nothing. What had been such a confident start had suddenly faltered.

"Color plays a significant role in establishing the grandeur of the space," Victoria continued, momentarily finding her feet again.

Edward nodded in approval; he liked the sound of this fresh, bold approach.

"Deep, rich colors, such as blues, purples, and gold accents, will create an aura of opulence. These are often paired with neutrals to maintain a sense of balance and elegance."

"In today's world, technology integration is crucial," Victoria continued but was suddenly reminded of the technology that had allowed her to send a very compromising image to her boss.

"Advanced, advanced, um, technology is…" Victoria trailed off. What she wanted to say was: ...ruining our lives, but she held back. It suddenly occurred to her to come clean with Edward, tell him what Romero was doing to her, and see how he took it.

But her nerve failed her. "My idea," she continued as best she could, "is to seamlessly incorporate tech into the design, allowing for automated climate control, entertainment systems, security, and even…" she trailed off again.

"I'm sorry, Ed," Victoria said, breaking off her presentation. "I came well prepared, but I'm struggling to get this across."

"Take your time, Victoria, you've got this," Edward encouraged her.

"The design includes expansive gardens, swimming pools, water features, and well-manicured lawns. Outdoor entertainment areas with custom-designed furniture complete the opulent picture."

Edward listened attentively, his eyes never leaving Victoria, and he was visibly impressed by her vision. A smile spread across his face, and he couldn't help but express his admiration despite the initial missteps.

"Victoria, this is outstanding," Edward commended. "I can see the vision, the elegance, and the appeal. You've done a remarkable job capturing the project's essence."

Victoria's heart soared at Edward's praise, but her face remained downcast. Romero's threat still weighed heavily on her, a reminder that her career was hanging in the balance.

Edward had noticed Victoria slipping in and out of confidence, which was not characteristic of her; she was always focused and well-spoken when it came to her presentations.

He sensed that there was more to her behavior than met the eye. He leaned forward, studying her with concern.

"Is something bothering you, Victoria?" he asked softly, his gaze never leaving her.

Victoria hesitated for a moment, her emotions bubbling beneath the surface. Her fears, the threat, and the compromising photo all flashed through her mind, leaving her heart heavy.

"It's just...a personal matter, Ed," Victoria finally admitted, her voice filled with restraint. "I apologize if it's affecting my performance."

Edward leaned back, thoughtful, his eyes fixed on Victoria's troubled expression. He could tell something was bothering her, but he didn't want to push her into revealing what she wasn't ready to share.

"You've been an invaluable asset to this company, Victoria," Edward said, his voice warm and understanding. "Your work and your attitude have not gone unnoticed."

Victoria's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she felt the wash of Edward's appreciation. Knowing that the decision she was being forced to make would tear her ambitions apart was a source of heartache.

"I'll cut to the chase, Victoria," Edward continued decisively. "I intend to promote you to co-project manager for this project and others going forward. This promotion comes with a substantial salary increase, and I have no doubt you're ready for it."

"Thank you, Edward. I'm honored, truly," she responded, her voice filled with a mixture of gratitude and regret. "But I have to decline the promotion."

Edward was taken aback, his brows furrowing in surprise at Victoria's unexpected decision. He had seen her ambition, her hard work, and her drive for success, and he couldn't understand why she would decline this opportunity.

"I thought this is what you've been working so hard for," Edward said, his voice incredulous. "You've always been ambitious and hardworking, Victoria."

Victoria bit her lower lip, her heart heavy with the burden of her secret. She had to make Edward understand, even if it meant revealing only a part of the truth, she thought.

"I know, and I appreciate the opportunity," she replied, her voice laced with regret. "It's just...it's complicated. I will explain soon. I just need some time to think about it and be sure I'm ready for such a big step."

Edward nodded, his understanding evident. He knew there was something more to Victoria's decision, something she wasn't ready to share.

"If that's how you feel, Victoria, I respect your decision," Edward said, his tone resigned. "But I want you to know that I have faith in you. You're C-suite material. In time, you'll work your way up to senior management, I'm sure of it."

Victoria's heart raced, knowing that she was walking away from a promotion she had longed for. She appreciated Edward's understanding, but she couldn't escape the feeling of regret.

"Thank you, Edward. Your confidence means the world to me," she replied, her voice filled with gratitude.

Edward changed the subject, directing the conversation toward the upcoming board meeting.

"I'd like you to present your design proposal at the board meeting tomorrow, Victoria," Edward said. "I have no doubt it will impress everyone."

Victoria mustered a smile, her inner turmoil hidden behind a façade of professionalism. She understood the significance of the board meeting, but Romero would be there, his evil intent lurking behind those dark eyes of his.

Victoria left Edward's office, her emotions a whirlwind of gratitude, regret, and apprehension. She knew that her battle against Romero was far from over, and the stakes were higher than ever.

Victoria's footsteps echoed in the narrow corridor as she exited Edward's office, her walk weighed down by the gravity of the decision she had just made.

She needed a moment to collect her thoughts and process the turbulent emotions within her. So, she headed towards the staff break room, a sanctuary where she could momentarily escape the chaos of her professional dilemma.

The break room offered solace, its walls adorned with framed photos of past company events, a testament to camaraderie among colleagues.

The soft hum of the coffee machine and its pleasant aroma filled the air, a constant background in this room of respite and fellowship.

Victoria drew closer to the source of that comfort, but as she entered, she saw Romero, her tormentor, standing casually at the counter, drinking a cup of coffee and staring at his phone. His presence sent an icy shiver down her spine.

Romero watched her enter with the look of a predatory cat, his eyes calculating and malevolent. It was as if he had been anticipating this encounter, ready to pounce on her vulnerabilities.

"Victoria, we need to have a little chat," Romero purred, his smirk as chilling as his intent.

Victoria's jaw tightened, and she clenched her fists, determined to resist Romero's manipulation.

"I've made my decision, Romero," she said, her voice carrying a steely resolve. "I won't allow you to manipulate me."

Undeterred by her defiance, Romero retained his composure as he coolly continued sipping his coffee.

"You think you can defy me? Do you understand the consequences, Victoria?" he asked with a venomous edge.

Victoria's voice trembled, but she held firm, refusing to let fear dominate her spirit.

"So here's what you need to do now," Romero said, about to twist the knife already so deeply planted in Victoria's back. "I'll give you the project's budget document that you will be presenting. Forget about your estimates; they won't do."

"What are you talking about, Romero? My estimates are perfect. I did the designs, and I know what I want and what this project will cost. Why are you meddling like this?" Victoria pleaded.

"I have my reasons," Romero shot back, "and I don't need to explain anything to you. I'll email you the budget, and that's the one you must present. And if you disregard it, let's just see what the board makes of that lovely little photo you sent me, shall we?"

"I won't present your version of the budget," Victoria asserted.

Romero laughed cruelly. "You're a brave one, Victoria," he sneered." Victoria's fists clenched so tightly that her nails bit into her palms. She could no longer contain her anger.

"Why are you doing this?" she demanded to know.

"Let's just say it's time for me to step into the CEO's shoes," Romero said. "Edward's time is up. This company needs bolder, stronger leadership. Edward is too soft; he needs to go, and I'll be seeing to that."

"What?" Victoria was incredulous as she began to understand just how corrupt Romero's thinking was and how convoluted the steps he was taking to achieve his dastardly deeds.

"And, let me say, if you play along, I will be sure there's an even bigger promotion in store for you," Romero added. "How does Creative Director sound to you? I'll give you a board seat."

Victoria was quiet for a moment, not because she was considering this corrupt proposal but because she was trying to work out just how evil Romero was and what he might do to her if he didn't get his way.

If he was willing to destroy her career, might he do worse to her? What if he spread his lies beyond the confines of the agency and ruined her reputation in the design world at large?

"You're blackmailing me, Romero," she spat out, her anger simmering beneath the surface. "This is unethical and wrong. I won't have it."

Romero's demeanor took a sinister turn; his voice lowered to a threatening growl.

"I suggest you think carefully about your next move, Victoria," he warned, his eyes narrowing.

Victoria's lips quivered, but she refused to be cowed by Romero's threats. She felt a surge of courage that she hadn't known she possessed, but she held her tongue.

Romero's smile faded, and rage burned in his eyes. He knew he hadn't broken her, and that infuriated him.

"You're playing with fire, Victoria," he hissed, his words filled with menace. He placed an unwelcome hand on her shoulder. "We'll see who gets burned."

With that, Romero left the room. Victoria stood alone, her heart pounding with fear, but a plan was forming in her mind to regain her power.

She understood that her battle against Romero was far from over. The stakes had been raised, and her resilience would be tested like never before.

The following day arrived with a palpable tension in the air. The agency was abuzz with rumors and whispers about the impending board meeting.

Victoria knew she had to gather her strength, confront the situation head-on, and find a way to protect her integrity while exposing the truth.

But as she stepped into the boardroom and the men and the women seated with anticipation looked up at her, the full force of her predicament hit her like a runaway train.

Already seated at the table were the Chief Financial Officer, Douglas; the Chief Operating Officer, Warrick; the Chairwoman, Angela; Julie, the Chief Marketing Officer, and Romero—he looked Victoria meanly in the eyes as she entered.

Edward hadn't yet arrived, so the meeting wasn't ready to start, and there was a moment's awkward silence when no one knew what to say.

Romero leaned over to Douglas seated next to him and, keeping his eyes fixed on Victoria, whispered. "I've uncovered some evidence, Doug. Someone has been messing with the numbers on this project. We're about to witness a bombshell dropping."

Douglas looked askance at his coworker, eyebrows raised in surprise, but Edward bounded in exuberantly right then and took a seat before Douglas could say anything.

"Sorry, I'm a little late!" he said. "Let's get started. Victoria, the floor is yours," he went on, waving for Victoria to begin her presentation.

"Thank you, sir," Victoria began. "It's my pleasure to walk you through my design proposals and the, uh, the…" Victoria trailed off and glanced at Romero, who nodded at her menacingly, "the budget," she finished.

"I have something to say," Romero suddenly piped up. "Edward has looked over and approved the budget, but there is something I'd like to address right away. Sorry to interrupt you, Victoria, but I think this is urgent and should be presented to the board immediately."

Worried looks went around the table, one to another. "Victoria and I worked out the figures quite carefully, and I sent the draft to Edward for approval," Romero continued.

"I looked over the version he sent me back and noticed that some of the numbers looked different from those in the original draft. So, I inspected it carefully and found that someone had inflated most of the line items by, in some cases, thousands of dollars. I asked Victoria to confirm this. Isn't that right, Victoria?" Romero asked.

Victoria nodded glumly. "Yes," she answered. "It looks like someone is planning to skim the excess money off."

The room fell into a stunned silence. Shock and disbelief hung in the air, each board member grappling with the implications of Romero's accusation.

Angela, the board chair, looked at Edward with concern, "What's going on here, Edward? Did you inflate the budget?" she asked.

Edward appeared dumbfounded by the accusation. "Of course I... I did not. This is outrageous, Romero! What are you saying? Have you lost your mind?"

He looked at Victoria standing meekly in front of the presentation screen, utterly dismayed at her apparent betrayal. "Victoria?" he implored.

Victoria looked down at her feet; she could not meet Edward's eyes. Her heart pounded as she thought about her next move, her usual confidence replaced by an overwhelming sense of apprehension.

The gravity of the situation seemed to weigh down on everyone present. Glances went around the room, lingering on Romero, who wore an expression of quiet vindication.

"Victoria, is this true? Can you confirm that the budget has been inflated?" Angela asked her. "Where did the numbers in the budget come from?" Victoria looked up but didn't say anything.

She looked from Romero to Edward and back again. She took out her phone. "I have the evidence right here," she said. "This will explain everything…"

Victoria tapped a few keys, and instantly, the soft pinging and buzzing of cell phone notifications filled the room.

Each member of the board lifted the lit screen of their mobile device to get a better look at what they had received.

"Edward," Victoria said, "This is the real reason I declined your promotion. And it's why Romero made me back his lie to you all about the budget figures."

The board members averted their eyes from their screens in embarrassment. Shining at them was the semi-naked selfie of Victoria, taken on a seemingly ordinary day but bearing the weight of an extraordinary mistake.

A murmur rippled through the room, and all eyes darted between the incriminating photo and the hapless Victoria.

Romero, who had not reached for his phone, looked around at the others in confusion. "What did she send you?" he asked.

"Here, Romero, let me show you myself," Victoria said, turning her screen to him so he could see the damning "evidence". "Now they've all seen it. What do you have to say for yourself?" she asked.

"Huh?" Romero stammered. "That has nothing to do with me!" he ventured. The color drained from his face, and his over-confident facade wavered for the first time.

"I sent Romero this picture by mistake; it was meant for my husband," Victoria explained. "And Romero decided to use it against me and blackmail me into going along with his wicked scheme. He told me he wanted to get Edward fired and take his place."

Edward had been listening in stunned silence, but he found his voice: "Romero, how could you do this?" he asked. "After all these years working together, how could you betray our trust like this? I thought we were friends?"

Romero felt the tide turning against him, and he realized that his plan had backfired; cornered by Victoria's confession, he fell into desperate denial.

"Victoria is lying!" he exclaimed. "She has been coming on to me for some time, and I rejected her advances. This is just her twisted way of getting revenge."

Edward fixed Romero with a piercing gaze. "I've heard enough," he said. "It's clear to me who the culprit is. I call for a vote. Who agrees with me that Romero has crossed the line? His conduct is reprehensible. I don't even need to defend myself against his false accusation. A simple show of hands, please, who agrees with me?"

Having absorbed the shocking turn of events, each and every board member raised a hand in agreement with Edward's judgment.

"Victoria?" Edward asked. Victoria raised her hand proudly.

"Very well, then it's unanimous," Edward said.

"Wait a minute!" Romero squealed. "Why does Victoria get a vote? She's not even a board member."

"Oh yes, she is," Edward countered. "As of this moment, she will be taking your position just as soon as you've packed your things and left the building."

"You're firing me?" Romero asked in shock.

"Indeed. Don't make me have to call security to escort you out," Edward said. "One more thing, though. Hand me your phone."

Romero did not argue; he could see he was well and truly defeated. He slipped his phone from his pocket, stepped over, and handed it to Edward.

Edward held it in front of Romero's face, activating the facial ID. He tapped on the screen for a few seconds and handed the phone back to Romero unceremoniously.

"I deleted the picture, which the rest of us will now all do," he said, nodding to all around the table. They all worked their phones for a few seconds, and it was done.

"If it ever surfaces again, I'll press charges for harassment, Romero," Edward warned. "Now, goodbye."

Defeated and humiliated, Romero walked out of the room in disgrace, leaving behind the ruins of his ill-conceived plot.

"Victoria," Edward said, "I'm deeply sorry for what you've been subjected to. We will tighten our company's policies on harassment and ensure that everyone feels comfortable reporting such incidents to senior management immediately."

"We will stage a full and formal inquiry and take further action against Romero if necessary. But right now, I'd like you to continue with your presentation, please, Victoria."

As Victoria outlined her ideas for the renovation, she painted a vivid picture of opulence and sophistication. Her words were filled with passion and creativity, each detail meticulously described.

"We envision a transformation that will elevate this home to way above the ordinary," she began, her eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. "Our designs will not only reflect the owner's unique style but also create an environment that exudes luxury, comfort, and a touch of extravagance."

The board members were unified in their admiration for Victoria's vision. Her designs transcended the ordinary, painting a vivid portrait of opulence.

Victoria's smile was one of gratitude, her heart warmed by the acknowledgment of her dedication. The spirit in the room was now a testament to Victoria's resolve and resilience in facing up to and overcoming her tormentor.

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