Chapter 42
“Yes! Discharge her!” The heavier–set woman nodded vigorously,
Upon hearing the threat of being discharged, Haven could no longer hold back her tears, her eyes turning red as she pleaded, “I didn’t do anything! You’re framing me!“.
The heavier–set woman scotted. “Framing you? We saw it with our own eyes from the control room. There are plenty of witnesses here now. The evidence is solid. Once we stamp it with the neighborhood patrol seal, you won’t be able to deny it unless…”
“Unless what?” Haven asked, following her lead.
The heavier–set woman replied, “Unless you two are married. If you’re a married couple kissing, we’ll just reprimand you If not, we’ll report it to your unit, and they’ll discharge you!”
The man quickly added, “We were planning to get our marriage certificate in a couple of days,“”
He then turned to Haven, saying, “Haven, I can accompany you back to get your documents. We can register at the courthouse. It’s not too late! If we get the certificate, this incident won’t affect our jobs.
Those who worked in the Art Corps would not need to submit a marriage report. They could get a marriage certificate and register on their own Haven was shocked, shaking her head frantically. “No! We’re not dating at all! I never said I wanted to marry you. I don’t want to get a marriage certificate with you!”
The woman in the red armband crossed her arms and glared at her. “If you’re not married, then you were acting inappropriately. Let’s go back to the neighborhood patrol office and wait for your superiors to pick you up!”
“No! No!” Haven cried out in desperation, tears streaming down her face. “I didn’t kiss anyone! I didn’t even hold hands with him! We’re innocent!” The heavier–set woman laughed mockingly. “Innocent? Who saw it
then? Do you have any
witnesses?” Witnesses? Haven looked around, noticing that everyone seemed to be curiously watching the spectacle. No one was willing to risk offending the neighborhood patrol on behalf of a stranger.
Given that it had been dark earlier and all eyes were on the movie, no one had actually seen whether she had kissed anyone.
Feeling desperate and hopeless, she tugged at her braids, wishing for a way to prove her innocence-
Just as she was drowning in despair, Natalie stepped forward.
With a serious expression, she addressed the neighborhood patrol woman. “I can testify for her!
—even contemplating suicide.
“You?” The woman raised an eyebrow, scanning her with skepticism. “What gives you the right to testify?”
Without flinching, Natalie replied, “I was sitting right behind her. I saw everything she did. She didn’t kiss that man at all. She was sitting quietly. Toward the end, that man suddenly leaned in and kissed her cheek.
“She was clearly upset and pushed him away just before you came in, accusing them of misbehaving.”
She pointed at the man involved and continued, “If anyone was misbehaving, it was him. This lady was a victim”
The man, calm and composed until now, suddenly became agitated, shouting at Natalie, “Who the hell are you? You’re just talking nonsense! Our relationship is none of your business!”
He rolled up his sleeves, looking ready for a fight, but he lowered his arms when he saw Jasper standing beside Natalie with a fierce expression.
Jasper cast a disdainful glance at the man before saying, “I can also testify for this young lady. She did nothing inappropriate. It was that man who was misbehaving and harassing her.”
