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He shrugged casually, his tone indifferent. "Exactly what I said. You're suspended. Your actions led to the Johnson trial's failure. Carmella lost an advantage because your team carelessly got rid of important research."
I couldn't believe the audacity of his accusations. “How can you suspend me for that? What about my team?"
Mr. Gilbert remained unmoved. "Your team will join Carmella's. It's only fair that they help rectify the situation by assisting her in winning the case. It's a lesson they need to learn after erroneously disposing of critical documents."
Fury bubbled up inside me. "They are my team. You can't just—"
He cut me off, his voice stern with warning. "Watch your tone, Griselda. This is your reprimand, and it's only temporary. If you continue to question me, that suspension might turn into expulsion."
I felt trapped, boiling helplessly in this unfairness, and Carmella's smug satisfaction only added to my indignation.
Although my heart felt heavy, I refused to lower my head or slump my shoulders, so I turned away from Mr. Gilbert's office and walked back to my own with purposeful strides. My team was already gathered in my office, looking at me with expectant gazes. Matthew spoke first, concern furrowing his brows.
"Griselda, what happened in there?"
I offered a sad smile, trying to feign nonchalance. "Oh, just a brief holiday, guys. I've been suspended."
Their faces twisted in disbelief, then anger.
"What! Suspended for what?" Sophia demanded, her eyes wide with shock.
I shrugged with a false casualness, fighting back the frustration.
"Disposing of essential research is a big no-no." The bitterness seeped through my words.
There was a collective eruption of indignation in my office. Angry protests filled the air as my team voiced their outrage. It warmed my heart to see how much they cared about me.
I went on to explain Mr. Gilbert's verdict of how they were to join Carmella's team and assist in winning the case. The shock that rippled across their faces mirrored my disbelief at the absurdity of the situation.
"No way!” Matthew, always the honest one, interjected with anger and disbelief.
Sophia exclaimed, "But Griselda, the research wasn't even destroyed. We still have it."
Matthew and Dave exchanged incredulous glances, and Luca was bewildered. He looked around at all of us and asked the question that was on our minds, "Should we hand over the research, then?"
Guilt bore down on me. I felt responsible for this mess. "I... I'm so sorry, guys. If only I had put my pride aside and given Carmella the research..."
My team's disapproval was swift, their voices ringing with support. "Griselda, it's not your fault. We all agreed not to hand it over. We didn't want Carmella to get her hands on our hard work and take the credit."
Their unwavering solidarity lifted my spirits. We were in this together, and we would find a way to fight against this injustice, even if it meant going against our boss's orders. With a resigned chuckle, I headed over to my desk. Their bewildered expressions were almost comical.
I smiled at them and said, "Well, it looks like we've got some packing to do. Care to lend a hand?"
Luca, with anger in his eyes, spoke up, "We won't make things easy for Carmella, Griselda. She's not going to get away with this."
However, I shook my head. "I understand, but let's not give the boss a reason to fire all of us. For now, we'll play along. It doesn't mean we won't find a way to get back at her eventually."
Regardless of what happened, I knew I would miss my team. They had become more than just colleagues; they were my friends, my allies.
"Take care," I said to each of them as they filed out of the room.
"Take care, Griselda," Luca replied, and one by one, they echoed his sentiment.
Though Carmella may have won this round, it would be the last time.
Chapter 11
Emilio
