Chapter 84
Chapter 84 Consequences of Silence
Finished
Lyra glanced around, but there was no sign of Felix. Her gaze immediately fell on the doll and half-built miniature castle sitting atop the cell table, next to an open jar of modeling clay.
He’d complained about the toys when they were first brought to him, yet he’d still played with thein once everyone left.
Now, without his hands, those little distractions meant to comfort him only felt bitterly ironic.
Lyra’s eyes dropped. She slowly slid the cell window shut.
Hearing the footsteps grow farther and farther away, Felix gradually stopped moving.
His body slumped down the wall like a limp doll. The motion stirred the scattered black feathers across the floor, lifting them briefly before they drifted back down.
Gradually, spreading pools of blood soaked into the delicate plumes, weighing them down until they could no longer float at all.
When Lyra hurried over to the laundry room, she found three figures standing rigidly inside.
The tall, broad-shouldered figure in the long coat exuded a heavy, oppressive aura that was impossible to
miss.
Across from them, the laundry staff all stood with their heads lowered, each one silent with fear.
Seeing the administrator apparently reprimanding/staff, Lyra froze, caught in an awkward spot. She hesitated to step forward, afraid of walking straight into trouble.
She lingered cautiously, planning to hide around the corner and wait for the situation to settle.
Before she could move, Hadrien turned his head directly toward her.
His sharp gaze cut straight through his face shield, pinning her in place.
Lyra jolted and stood up straight, instantly obedient.
“You. Come here p>
Lyra swallowed hard, gripping her utility cart and stepping forward nervously,
She stood off to the side, unsure what he intended.
Hadrien called out several names, his low voice sharp with obvious displeasure.
“Over here p>
Lyra recognized the staff members stepping forward. They were the same people who’d spread malicious rumors and talked trash about her behind her back.
12:36 pm
Chapter 84-Consequences of Silence
Finished
Gone was their previous arrogance. They hung their heads low, meek and cowed.
Hadrien gestured toward Lyra, uttering one cold, commanding word.
“Apologize p>
Lyra stared up in shock, only met with the dark, icy glint of his shielded face.
The group bowed stiffly, voices mumbled and weak.
“We’re sorry p>
“Sorry p>
“You call that an apology?” Hadrien snapped coldly.
The staff flinched hard, eyes watering with fear. They bit their lips and raised their voices, shouting in
unison.
“We’re sorry p>
“We apologize p>
Hadrien watched them without the slightest hint of mercy, his stare frigid and unyielding.
“Slacking on duty, careless work, stirring up trouble, spreading false rumors, and misconduct. Black Spire has zero tolerance for insubordinate staff like you.
“Collect your final paycheck and leave p>
The group lifted their heads in stunned disbelief.
Hadrien didn’t spare them another glance, turning to scan the room. “Where’s the shift supervisor p>
A woman hurried forward, face pale and panicked.
Hadrien’s gaze dropped to her, tone ice-cold. “Failed to manage your team, had negligent oversight, and allowed workplace misconduct. You’re stripped of your supervisory role effective immediately. Report for disciplinary reflection. Any objections p>
The woman shook her head frantically.
There was nothing she could do but accept her fate.
No one had noticed the chief administrator conducting a random inspection, least of all her staff, who’d gossiped openly without a care.
They’d only realized their mistake after Hadrien had heard every malicious word.
“If there are no objections, get back to your posts.” His tone turned sharp. “Or do you need me to escort
you out p>
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Chapter 84-Consequences of Silence
Finished
Knowing there was no room for negotiation, the disgraced staff fled, cold and dejected, faces full of grievance and resentment.
The air around Hadrien remained heavy and stifling. No one in the room dared make a sound.
“Continue p>
At his command, the two official examiners stepped forward with their evaluation sheets.
Thinking she was no longer needed, Lyra quietly pushed her cart forward, planning to slip in behind them.
“Wait p>
Lyra’s footsteps halted at once.
Hadrien stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his tall frame exuding silent, overwhelming
pressure.
He looked down at the slender girl before him. His tone was less harsh than before, yet still laced with unshakable authority.
“They spread lies and slandered your name. Why didn’t you report them p>
Lyra glanced up at him, confused.
Did she really need to report every petty rumor?
She wrote, “I’ll be sure to pay attention next time p>
Hadrien’s brows tightened faintly as he read the words.
“I’m asking about this incident. Why are you already thinking about next time p>
Sensing his rising displeasure, Lyra quickly shook her head in panic.
She wrote quickly, “They were just talking. I didn’t think it mattered. I chose not to take it to heart p>
Hadrien closed his eyes briefly, then stared at her like she was utterly alien.
Come to think of it, she actually was an alien.
How could someone be this endlessly forgiving?
“This has nothing to do with whether you take it personally or not,” he said firmly.
“Letting toxic behavior slide only lets it grow worse. Today it’s you they target. Tomorrow it will be someone else.
“You can endure it, but can everyone else? Should everyone just stay silent and let them keep ruining people’s reputations?
“You think they’ll stop on their own? Your silence only encourages them.
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Chapter 84-Consequences of Silence
Finished
“They’ll grow bolder. Verbal harassment will turn to personal attacks. They’ll form cliques, bully others openly, and turn this entire facility into a toxic mess.
“People like you, who choose to endure everything quietly, will get crushed and pushed down endlessly.
“Do you know why rules and regulations exist?
“To protect the good and stop the wicked from acting recklessly p>
Lyra hung her head in silence.
Jessa had told her similar things before, but in her usual blunt, confrontational way.
Hadrien’s words were different. He broke down every reason and Consequence for her, making her fully
understand the stakes of her silence.
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Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.