The Man They Blame

Situation Reverse

Christian glared at him. “What are you talking about?” He began to panic, hesitating as he stepped closer. “What secrets are you talking about?” He wasn't sure exactly how much Brett knew.

Brett stared at him with resentment, his hands clenched into fists. His only goal in this place had been to work and avoid anything that would drag him into trouble. But unlike Christian, he was not an irresponsible person. He simply avoided unnecessary conflict; however, that did not mean he wouldn't involve himself when things became critical.

Christian was not only trying to destroy Derek but was now also intending to shift all responsibility onto him, and Brett would not stand by without fighting back. “Derek performed his duties according to procedure. He detected clear signs of life before entering the vacation home and reported the situation in full.”

Recalling the events of that day clearly in his mind, he fixed his gaze fiercely back on Christian. “But Christian refused to give the order to enter, not because the rescue operation was unfeasible, but because he was afraid that if any firefighters became casualties, it would ruin his career.”

Christian was stunned. He shifted uncomfortably as everyone looked at him with contempt. He clicked his tongue, his jaw tightening. “Don't talk nonsense, Brett! What you’re saying is not true!”

Brett looked at him with disgust. “I warned you before.” He shifted his gaze to the thin-mustached investigator sitting before him. “At first, I did intend to approve Derek’s request to continue the search. However, Christian repeatedly overstepped his authority during the rescue operation and used his rank to threaten me, leaving me with no choice but to order Derek to stand down.”

Christian, realizing his career was on the brink of collapse, gritted his teeth. “Brett, stop it.”

But Brett no longer cared to listen. “All this time, Christian has frequently abused his power. He deliberately assigned firefighters he disliked, or those he deemed a threat to his position, to the most dangerous areas.”

He added facts that left everyone in the room dumbfounded, while the investigators immediately noted the report as evidence for their investigation.

Brett glanced at Christian as he continued, “He has also long covered up issues regarding equipment safety. Firefighters at Station 17 previously reported that the SCBA units were past their maintenance schedule. I submitted a request for replacement equipment, but Christian was worried that if the equipment failure became public, the performance rating of the district under his supervision would decline. Therefore, he ordered the administrative department to bury the report.”

More people began to speak up. “What Brett said is true,” another officer present at the meeting confirmed.

Once Brett spoke out, the other firefighters stopped choosing silence regarding Christian’s actions and, one by one, began to report him.

Another officer stepped forward. “Christian once ordered me to alter an incident report and shift the blame from his favorite subordinate to a regular officer.” He glanced at Christian, who glared at him, silently demanding he stop.

But unlike before, he no longer felt any fear. “I initially refused, but Christian retaliated with actions that harmed me. In return, I faced difficulties every time I had to deal with him.”

The officer looked at Derek with a regretful smile. “Derek is not the person they reported him to be; he has always been the most reliable person in the department. In various dangerous operations, Derek was always the last one to leave the scene.”

Brett nodded. “If Derek can be labelled a 'coward' and a 'dangerous liability,' then the entire disciplinary system of this department has lost its meaning.”

The investigators in the room remained silent, busy taking notes.

“The logs on Zack’s computer should be checked, as the system history will show who changed the documents and when those changes were made,” one of them suggested.

Christian panicked. Losing control, he shouted, “Stop all of this! You’re all lying! You’ve conspired to attack me!” he barked at them.

His eyes were bloodshot; he could not accept the destruction of his reputation and career, which were collapsing before his eyes. He pointed at Derek, who stood calmly in his place. “This must be your doing and the West family’s! You’ve bought these people to make false statements against me! Tell the truth, now!”

The accusation only made him look more desperate. Meanwhile, behind him, Zack was sweating profusely, knowing that once his computer was examined, every record he had altered for Christian would be exposed.

Page realized he had to show decisive leadership before it was too late and his own reputation became tarnished. He slammed his hand on the table to grab everyone’s attention.

As all eyes turned to him, he began to speak, “Christian Browning is hereby immediately dismissed from his position as deputy captain, and all his internal authorities are revoked. Termination proceedings will begin immediately on the grounds of falsifying official documents, concealing rescue information, and abuse of power.”

Before the committee and all the firefighters present, Page took action without hesitation or the desire to compromise as he had before. “Remove the badge you are wearing, immediately,” he demanded.

Christian gripped the badge tightly, refusing to let go. Everything he had done was for the sake of his career; he had come this far, and he would not accept surrendering the position he had worked so hard to attain.

He had once used that position to humiliate Derek. Now, in front of Derek, his power was being stripped away. He felt exposed and humiliated in front of the very man he had belittled.

Zack moved quickly, throwing himself to his knees before Derek. “Please forgive me, just this once, give me a chance. I cannot end up like this, sir,” he pleaded, ignoring his own dignity.

Seeing Zack switch sides so quickly and abandon him caused the fires of rage in Christian’s chest to burn even brighter.

Derek pushed the termination document that Zack had previously forced him to sign back toward him. “Now it’s your turn to sign it.”

Zack went limp.

Christian stared at Derek with a look full of hatred and said through gritted teeth, “This isn’t over.”

The two men were then led away. After the meeting adjourned, Derek walked out of the conference hall. The corridor and lobby were filled with firefighters.

In the past, no one had dared to defend him because they feared Christian. Now, some looked at him with shame, others with deep admiration, while others wanted to apologize but didn’t know what to say.

Brett was the first to applaud. The applause soon spread throughout the building and lasted for a long time.

However, from an office on the second floor, Page stood behind the glass, watching everyone applauding Derek below.

He then made a phone call. “You crazy woman! What have you done? You nearly put my position in danger!” he snapped loudly.

“What are you talking about?” Stunned by the sudden outburst, Erin pulled the phone away from her ringing ear.

“Why did you never tell me that Derek is the son of a billionaire? Were you trying to drag the fire department into a disaster on purpose?” he shrieked with rage, his hands clenched. “For the time being, the partnership with your foundation is suspended.”

Erin could not believe what she was hearing and struggled to grasp the situation, but hearing their partnership was being terminated, she panicked and screamed, “What?!”