Ch. 259: Mr. Edwards’ Unraveled Life chapter 259

Chapter 259

Why did Norah feel sad?

Emani couldn’t figure it out, no matter how hard she tried.

“How long was I asleep?” Norah asked, her voice soft but uncertain.

Emani glanced at her watch. “About thirty minutes. Norah, you’ve been looking so worn out lately. You fell asleep as soon as you put your head down.”

Norah nodded slightly, brushing it off. “Probably just didn’t get enough sleep last night.” She instinctively placed a hand on her stomach, her thoughts flickering to the pregnancy.

Emani studied her with concern but didn’t press further. Instead, her face lit up. “Oh, by the way! We’ve got feedback on the article—guess how much traction it’s getting? Over a million views!”

Her excitement bubbled over. “The internet is tearing Bianca apart, and even Maxine’s not being spared. We did it, Norah!” Emani clapped her hands together. “I can already picture Maxine’s furious face. She’ll definitely face consequences this time!”

Norah didn’t share the same exuberance. Her focus remained on Bianca. “This is only a small victory. But we need to tread carefully. The backlash could also affect the station, and we might get questioned by higher-ups.”

Emani shrugged it off. “Relax. We didn’t do anything wrong. Maxine brought this on herself. She made a mistake, and we simply reported it. If the leadership is smart, they’ll frame it as a righteous pursuit of justice. The blame lands on Maxine, not us.”

Norah nodded subtly. Emani had a point.

Maxine, on the other hand, wouldn’t recover from this easily. Losing credibility as a journalist was career suicide, especially when it also dragged the station’s reputation down with her.

Just as Norah was contemplating their next move, Maxine stormed into the room. Her face was twisted with rage, her eyes locked onto Norah and Emani like a hawk ready to pounce.

“You two!” Maxine’s voice was sharp and venomous. “You sabotaged me again!”

Norah didn’t flinch, her face calm and composed.

Emani, however, wasn’t about to back down. She stood tall and met Maxine’s glare head-on. “What are you even talking about? How could we possibly sabotage you? We’re all doing our jobs—reporting the truth and seeking justice. Just because your version of ‘justice’ didn’t work out doesn’t make it our fault!”

Maxine jabbed a finger in their direction. “Don’t play innocent with me! You know I’ve been chasing Bianca’s story. I was close to securing her exclusive interview—something that could’ve brought huge benefits to our department! But no, you just had to interfere!”

Norah’s voice was steady, but her words cut deep. “Maxine, do you really think you’re the only one here capable of breaking a story?”

Maxine sneered. “Don’t you dare question me! Everyone knows I’m the best at what I do. You? You’re just another cog in the wheel.”

Norah’s gaze didn’t waver. “Everyone here is capable, not just you. And for the record, you’ve crossed the line. You’ve compromised the integrity of a journalist. That alone disqualifies you from this profession.”

Maxine’s laugh was hollow, almost desperate. “Oh, please. You’re no saint, Norah. You’re nothing more than a desk jockey who punches words into a keyboard. And guess what? As long as I’m here, that’s all you’ll ever be!”

Norah saw through her bluster. Maxine was flailing, her usual arrogance a flimsy shield for her growing desperation.

“Enough!” Emani stepped forward, her voice sharp. “You wanted to talk to the editor-in-chief, right? Let’s go. I’d love to see who’s really in the wrong here!”

“Fine!” Maxine snapped. “Let’s settle this once and for all. We’ll see who the editor-in-chief sides with!”

“Stop it. All of you!”

A voice cut through the tension like a knife. Quinn, the editor-in-chief, stood in the doorway, her expression icy.

Maxine turned to her immediately, her panic poorly disguised as righteous indignation. “Editor-in-chief! You came at the perfect time. They sabotaged me! I was about to secure an exclusive with Bianca—a rising star. This could’ve been a huge win for us, but these two ruined everything!”

Quinn’s gaze was colder than ever. “Maxine, do you even realize what you’re saying? Bianca’s reputation is in tatters. Her actions have caused public outrage, and she’s on the verge of being blacklisted. If we’d gone forward with your so-called ‘exclusive,’ it would’ve dragged the entire station down with her!”

Maxine’s face went pale. “No, that’s not true! I was doing it for the good of the station! For the ratings!”

Quinn didn’t let her continue. “Enough excuses! You’ve already damaged our reputation for personal gain. Do you have any idea how much this has cost us? You’ve not only embarrassed yourself but the entire station.”

Maxine’s voice wavered. “I... I didn’t mean to... It’s not my fault!” She pointed at Norah and Emani. “They—”

“They exposed Bianca’s crimes,” Quinn cut her off. “If it weren’t for them, another station could’ve beaten us to the story, and we’d have looked like fools for ignoring the obvious. Instead, we’ve maintained our integrity. But you, Maxine—you’ve violated journalistic ethics. You’ve become a liability, and we can’t afford that.”

Maxine’s voice cracked as she pleaded. “Please, Editor-in-chief. I’ll change. I’ll do better. Just give me another chance!”

Quinn’s face remained impassive. “You’ve had your chances. Pack your things. You’re fired.”

The weight of the words hit Maxine like a blow. She stumbled, unable to process what had just happened. “You can’t do this to me! I’m the best reporter you’ve got!”

“Not anymore,” Quinn said, her tone final. “Security!”

Two guards entered, moving to escort Maxine out.

“No! Please!” Maxine begged, tears streaming down her face. She turned her fury toward Norah, her voice shrill and venomous. “This is your fault, you conniving witch! You’ll pay for this! I won’t let you get away with it!”

Norah stood her ground, unshaken, as Maxine was dragged away, her cries echoing down the hall.