Istared,stunned.“Connor,you’remyboyfriend.You’dframemewithliesforSierra?”
Sierrascoffed,eyeingmesmugly.“Ifnot,how’dyouknowI’denterthecage?How’dyoupredictthebear’srageandpickupthegun?”
“Natalie,jealousofmeandConnor,youtriedtomurderme!”

Theircollusionshookme.Ipulledoutmyphonetocallthepolice.“Fine,sayit’sme.Let’sseewhatthecopsfind!”
Gregpanicked,orderingstaff,“Grabherphone!Nopolice—zoomattersstayinternal.Youwantthispublic,Natalie?”
Tomyshock,colleaguesItrustedflankedme.“Natalie,Greg’sorders.Don’tmakethishard.”
“Yousawthetruth!Isavedeveryone!”
Theyavoidedmygaze.“You’refired,butweneedthesejobstosurvive.Don’tdragusdown.”
Theirbetrayalstung.Tearsfell.“Iwon’tletyouframeme,Sierra.Truthwillout!”

Thecrowdparted,andDirectorPaulKaneappeared,stern.
Reliefhitme.Paulwasknownforkindness,fundinganimalrescuesanddonatingtocharities.Hewouldn’tsidewithSierra.
Inhisoffice,Ibegan,“Director,here’swhathappened…”
Hecutmeoff.“Natalie,thegirl’sguardianisatmydoor,andyou’restillmakingexcuses?”

Hesteppedaside,revealingaman—thegirl’scaretaker.
Themanjabbedafinger.“You’reNatalie?Youcausedmylady’strauma!”
“She’sinthehospital.Ifshe’shurt,you’llpay!”
Isneered,“Nowonderyoufled,leavingherbehind—notherrealdad,huh?Herfright’sonyou.Isavedherlife!”
Enraged,heslappedme,bloodfillingmymouth.“Lies!YouframedSierra,openingthecage!”
IturnedtoPaul.“Director,Sierrastolethekeysforclout!”
Hisfacehardened.“You’restilldodgingblame?I’mdisappointed,Natalie.”
“You’reamoralfailure.You’refired!”
Ifroze.“Checkthecameras—thetruthisclear!Whyareyoufiringme?”
Heleanedin,whispering,“You'vemessedwiththewrongperson,Natalie.”
“IfyoudaretoharmSierra,you'llhavetotaketheblameandfacetheguardian'swrath.”