shuhaige
Chapter 1397
On the way back, Dorothy rested her head against the car window, silent the entire ride.
Everett, with one hand holding hers, spoke gently. "What's wrong? Still feeling down? I can stand up for you again, make sure you're satisfied." Dorothy snapped back to reality, offering a wry smile. "No, it's not about that person. They can't affect my mood! It's just... I've been reflecting." "On what?"
"Think about it. Since I started working, how many times have I faced workplace harassment? I'm lucky, having you always there to support me. But what about the other women? Those who might have to suffer in silence for the sake of their performance reviews, or just to make ends meet?"
Those scumbags, they prey on this vulnerability, don't they?
Dorothy shuddered to think of the absurdities these women might face in private, even hearing stories of some being drugged, photographed, and then blackmailed, their lives ruined. What did they do to deserve this?
We're all just trying to do our jobs, aim for better projects, and earn a higher salary. Why should harassment be part of the equation? "That's why at Lopez Corporation, we have a policy. No female staff member is to meet with clients alone, not even in emergencies." That was a rule Everett had established early on.
And for the men at Lopez Corporation, any misconduct would lead to immediate termination and a permanent ban from reemployment.
No matter their position or talent, even if they were key players, the rule was unbending.
Thanks to this iron-clad policy, there hadn't been a single case of dismissal for such reasons within Lopez Corporation.
"The workplace isn't always filled with leaders like you," Dorothy remarked.
Everett gently stroked her arm. "Dorothy, all we can do is hold ourselves accountable. Worrying about these things, as frustrating as they are, won't help." Dorothy knew this, of course.
But now that she had her own "umbrella" against the storm, she wanted to extend that shelter to others as well.
As they neared the hotel, Dorothy suddenly spoke up. "Everett, I want to start a fund specifically to help women facing workplace
harassment. We'll help them gather evidence, find lawyers, all for free."
Finding evidence and fighting legal battles was daunting, often leading nowhere but to a tarnished reputation. So many women just gave up.
Dorothy feared such resignation would only worsen the situation, setting a dangerous precedent.
"Alright, whatever you want," Everett
tightened his grip on her hand, a smile playing on his lips. "Lopez Corporation has many female lawyers who'd surely be eager to contribute." en
Looking up at Everett, Dorothy felt her eyes well up, nearly breaking into tears.
"Why do you always say yes? Aren't you afraid of spoiling me?"
"Not at all. I hope to spoil you so much that no one else can match it."
Dorothy rolled her eyes, wiping away the tear that threatened to fall.
"I'm thanking you on behalf of all the women who'll receive help because of this."Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!
"It's you they should be thanking, not me," Everett said softly, wiping away the moisture under her eyes. "Feeling any better? If you keep this up, I run out of ways to cheer you up.
Dorothy let out a resigned laugh. "Okay, okay! Mr. Lopez, you're quite the charmer."