Janet

Nana hung up with Veronica with a complicated expression on her face.

'I didn't think she'd go that far… Not like it matters anyway. I like to think that I'm normally very kind, but this woman does sound like a piece of work.

'I know I'm only getting Ver's side of this, but even Ver can't be that one-sided, can she?'

…

Watching Veronica's car drive off, Carter simply stood there, unable to decide what to do.

'This definitely seems like something I should tell Roland. However, I heard about how furious he was when Anna spoke to him…

'Hmm. I'll head up to Roland's office now. I need to speak to him about some other matters anyway, so I'll decide what to say when I'm there.'

He walked into the building and headed up the stairs. Carter rarely took the elevator when he was on his own, always conscious of his fitness.

Eventually, he reached the top floor. The entire floor felt unusually quiet. Barov was in Roland's office, and they were discussing something with grave expressions. Carter knocked on the door, and they beckoned him in.

"Carter," said Roland with a smile, "I was just wondering where you were."

"Quick smoke break, sir," replied Carter succinctly.

"That's fine. I need to ask your opinion on something."

"Anything, sir, just go ahead."

"Alright, Barov and I were just discussing the situation with Anna."

'Sh*t.' Carter thought that but didn't say it. "Is that so? I didn't catch the full story and wouldn't like to comment on a situation I don't understand."

Barov stepped up and said, "There's no need to worry about that. We were just wondering if you might be in need of an assistant. You know, someone to manage your paperwork and department's accounts."

"I'm sure there are people for—"

Roland's expression turned serious as he said, "Carter, Anna commented on my partner, spreading barefaced lies; she shouted at me in front of my other subordinates; she even criticized my own handling of matters. That was direct insubordination and a sackable offense. She can't work in this office any longer.

"So, I'll ask again, might you need an assistant, someone who will manage the department paperwork and accounts?"

Catching on, Carter hastily replied, "Now that you mention it, sir, I do think we might need someone like that."

Barov and Roland broke out in broad smiles.

"Excellent, Janet will be part of your department as of tomorrow."

Confused, Carter asked, "Janet? I thought we were talking abo—"

"Ha ha ha. I'm just screwing with you. Anna will be part of you department from tomorrow onward."

He then turned to Barov and asked, "Do we even have a Janet on our floor?"

"No, we don't; we've never employed anyone by that name."

…

Barov had told her to leave early, so Anna was currently in her apartment, wallowing in self-pity.

'I only said all that because I was shocked and upset. He didn't need to be so mean!

'However, he should have at least looked into what I said. But I guess it's only himself he's putting at risk.'