She Ate My Lunch for Free Every Day—Until Six Tins of Luxury Caviar Arrived Chapter 09

After the review, Kelsey was removed from all client–facing projects pending the outcome.

She was still waiting for Derek to defend her.

But Derek was busy writing his own statement.

The man who had always brushed off every dispute and told me to let it go was now required to document the timeline, the spare key, and everything he had known beforehand. He was not allowed to leave out a single detail.

One week later, the company issued its decision.

Kelsey had repeatedly taken other employees‘ property and deliberately opened high–value client merchandise despite clear warnings.

She had violated the employee handbook and the company’s property policy. Her employment was terminated, and her final paycheck would be issued as required by law.

Repayment for the damaged goods would be handled separately.

Derek had improperly unlocked the storage bin, ignored repeated complaints, and tried to make the entire team cover the loss. He received a formal disciplinary notice and was removed from his supervisory position.

The notice did not call Kelsey a harmless foodie or say she was merely immature.

It did not reduce my complaint to a personality conflict between coworkers.

Everwell Creative reimbursed Tidewell Fine Foods under the storage agreement. Both companies reviewed the purchase, lot, and disposal records and confirmed the loss at $7,500.

No one piled on a frightening amount of invented penalties.

Two more rounds of negotiations followed.

The client, the company, and Kelsey signed a settlement covering the same loss.

Tidewell could not pursue the amount twice after receiving payment.

Kelsey agreed to repay Everwell $6,250 in installments. The company would absorb the remaining $1,250 for

its own management failure.

I was only a witness who provided facts, not the person receiving money under the agreement.

Kelsey read through every page, then stopped at the $6,250 total and stared at it for a long time.

Her fingers used to fly across the screen whenever she compared fees and promo codes for a boba order.

Now she could barely hold the pen.

Now she could barely hold the pen.

“Does it really have to be this much?”

Vivian placed the purchase records beside her.

“If you dispute any part of it, raise the issue now. Crying cannot make contaminated merchandise usable again.”

Kelsey lowered her head. After a long time, she signed.

As we left the conference room, she suddenly dropped to her knees in front of me.

The thud stopped everyone who was gathering their things.

“Maya, I’m begging you. Tell them you used to let me eat your food. Just say that much, please.”

I stepped back, and Renee immediately moved to help her up.

Kelsey clung to the doorframe and refused to stand.

“My parents are going to kill me when they find out. I was only being greedy. How did it turn into this?”

She looked up at me. Her face was blotchy and wet with tears, and she no longer had the energy to make herself look cute.

“This was not one impulsive mistake.”

I pointed to the documents she had just signed.

“When the bin would not open, you knew to look for the key. When you saw the tamper seals, you knew to tear them. When you were afraid someone might see you, you knew to wait until the hallway was empty.

“You understood every choice you made.”

Her sobs stopped for a beat.

“But I apologized.”

“You’ve apologized many times.”

The first time she ate my sandwich, she said she was sorry.

The second time she finished my fruit, she said it again.

Eventually, she could apologize while reaching for the yogurt I had just bought.

I crouched down only to move the strap of her bag away from my shoes and set it beside her.

“Stand up. One word from me cannot erase the repayment agreement, and I will not change the facts.”

Renee helped her to her feet. This time, no one reached for me or asked me to reconsider.

On the day Kelsey completed her exit paperwork, she made the first $1,100 payment under the agreement.

The payment went into the company’s account. The remaining $5,150 had a written installment schedule and

firm due dates.

Derek found me while he was clearing out his office.

“At the time, I thought that if you put up with it, the problem would pass.”

I glanced at the black lunch bag in the box he was carrying.

“Because I was always the one expected to put up with it.”

His mouth opened, but he had nothing else to say.