Chapter 7 - The Manager's Reckoning
When the gray sedan pulled back into the candy warehouse parking garage, Darla Haskins was pacing furiously near the security desk.
She had spent the last three hours preparing a massive file of fake write-ups, planning to officially terminate Hadley and justify her own cruel behavior. She thought the CEO would thank her for protecting company policy.
Jude walked through the sliding doors, carrying the sleeping baby in her car seat, with Hadley walking quietly beside him.
"Mr. Tolbert!" Darla rushed forward, waving her clipboard. "I have the termination papers for Ms. Rowan ready for your signature! Bringing a child into a hazardous work environment is a massive liability, and—"
"Hand me the clipboard, Darla," Jude commanded, his voice cold and absolute.
Darla smirked triumphantly at Hadley and handed the CEO the board.
Jude didn't even look at the papers. He dropped the entire clipboard straight into the lobby trash can.
Darla gasped. "Sir?"
"I reviewed the security footage while we were at the hospital," Jude said, his eyes burning with a terrifying, calculated anger. "I saw you aggressively threatening a mother while her child was having a medical emergency. I also saw the logs showing you've been forcing the night staff to clock out at 2:00 AM, but demanding they clean until 4:00 AM under threat of termination."
Darla’s face turned the color of ash. The wage theft she had been running for years was completely exposed.
"Sir, I was just trying to keep labor costs down!" Darla panicked, backing away. "I was doing it for the company!"
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"You were doing it because you are a cruel, pathetic tyrant," Jude stated. "You are fired, Darla. Effective immediately. And my lawyers will be contacting you regarding the stolen wages you owe this staff."
👉 What incredible reward will Jude give the struggling mother for her honesty?
