Chapter 15 Complaint Letter

Despite the meager salary, being an on-screen host was still a decent job that she treasured. She sent a text message to Matt, warning him not to cause trouble. As soon as she sent it, the message bounced back. She had been blocked.
Her mind went blank for a moment. In a panic, Maggie made an excuse to use the restroom and urged the driver to speed up and take a shortcut. The Manager heard her and glanced at her but didn't say much.
This move had a significant effect, and the Rolls-Royce was left behind in the evening rush hour traffic.
The Cultural Night was held at the Washington D.C. People's Grand Theater, located near the harbor. It used to be the old site of the municipal theater, with eight towering Roman columns that obscured the sky, displaying a magnificent architectural style.
Etiquette brought boutonnieres, and the manager signaled for Maggie to place his on the left collar of his suit. The attendees included political figures as well as high-ranking officials from state-owned and municipal-owned enterprises, each carefully arranged according to their level of importance.
In the political arena, sitting at the same table as someone of equal rank was considered improper. No one wanted to sit in the secondary position, so even if the president was not present, the vice president had to sit at a separate table.
Sitting across from Maggie was Rob, a member of the X state's lower parliament. He used to be a dentist in the state, with the appearance of an honest commoner. His simple attire, custom-made suit, was washed until it had a faded white color.
He stood out among the luxurious surroundings.
X State was the first county to undergo reforms in the city and also the hometown of the current president's wife.
Maggie organized the "Shining Bright" program, which had visited the county's experimental middle school and collected small student inventions. She had crossed paths with Rob a few times.
The owner of the winery in Italy, Mr. Flores, was balding and has his facial features squeezed together, with two layers of fat on his belly. The manager greeted him, and Mr. Flores had expressed his willingness to become the title sponsor of the ABC program earlier. He didn't recognize Maggie and only knew Tiffany, the best TV host of the station. Tiffany hosted the Washington News, which aired at 8 pm during prime time and had a great reputation, consistently ranking first in viewership among all programs in the city.
Mr. Flores was indifferent, but Maggie, with a brave face, poured him a glass of wine. "Mr. Flores..." she began.
Before she could finish her sentence, Mr. Flores left his seat and went over to another CEO, holding his glass tightly and engaging in conversation. Helpless, Maggie picked up her glass and followed him, saying, "Mr. Flores, when Tiffany goes on her field trip, she will be grateful and appreciate your interest in collaborating with the television station. That's why she specifically asked me to follow up..."
"Then she can express her gratitude to me when she returns," Mr. Flores interrupted. He looked at her directly, his eyes grazing her fair cheeks. "Are you Tiffany's younger sister? You look quite beautiful."
Maggie had anticipated this situation and felt goosebumps all over her body. She forced herself to extend her hand. "My name is Maggie."
Mr. Flores shook her hand and scratched her palm twice. Startled, Maggie withdrew her hand. Mr. Flores looked displeased and snapped, "Go away."
Surprised, Maggie took a step back and felt her sleeve being tugged twice. Turning around, she saw Rob, his face clouded with worry. But when his gaze fell on her, it cleared up a bit.
Rob grinned without much enthusiasm, a touch of bitterness in his smile. "Mrs. Green, do you remember me?"
Maggie affirmed that she did and asked if he needed something important.
Rob hesitated for a moment, struggling to find words. Maggie interrupted him. "Let's catch up later, okay?"
"Mrs. Green," he firmly grabbed her wrist, "I need your help!"
Maggie was surprised and repeated, "Let's talk later..."
"No," Rob forcefully pulled her out of the venue and to a secluded corner. He took out a crumpled letter from his pocket. "This is the complaint letter I wrote to the city, accusing the Governor of domestic violence against his wife and daughter, which led to my sister being paralyzed."
As Rob spoke, tears of bitterness welled up in his eyes. "Mrs. Green, since you work at the city TV station, you do have the ability to make this letter public?, right? I was elected as a member of the lower house of parliament, but I can't even deliver a letter of complaint... I... I'm at a loss..."
"The Governor has complete control! When he found out about my complaint, he arranged four or five men to block my house. It was a struggle to escape, and they even sent cars to chase and intercept me. My... my poor sister's condition remains unknown... It's useless, I can't do anything..."
"Useless!" he regretted, tears streaming down his face, and slapped himself hard a few times.
All of this came like a raging storm, too intense for Maggie to handle. She couldn't even reach out to take the letter.
Maggie found her voice amidst Rob's tearful accusations, "With so many important and influential people here, why did you specifically choose me?"
"I don't believe them, I believe you." Rob tightly grasped her hand, as if holding on to a lifesaving straw. "You are kind to the children, you have donated clothes and raised funds for them, you are a good person!"
Rob's outburst of emotions was so intense and heartbreaking that it was hard for Maggie not to empathize, but her purpose for this visit was not centered around this.
She frowned until it seemed like her forehead would shatter, "Well, I will think of a solution... Rob, put the letter away for now."
With people constantly passing by in the hallway, the scene between them had already attracted a lot of attention. Maggie advised him to calm down and wait in the same spot.
Her intention was to find the manager. She couldn't find him. Maggie hurried to the other end of the corridor.
Suddenly, four or five people burst out of a room, and her frown relaxed when she saw Harold in the center, walking briskly and heading towards the stairs.
He looked different from the day they met at The Grand Club. Today, he was wearing a silver-gray suit, exuding a sense of grandeur. He carried a brown leather briefcase, a cigarette hanging from his lips, and appeared in a hurry.
For a moment, Maggie thought she was seeing things, but she was sure she saw it—the profound profile that flashed out from the door, like a red-hot iron, seared her heart.
Maggie called out, "Mr. Edwards."
She seemed to be a step too late, her clear voice echoing in the empty corridor.
There was no response. He must have left.
Maggie walked a few steps towards the stairs, feeling a sense of discontent, not just because she wanted another glimpse of him, but also because of Rob's complaint letter...
City officials were more influential than the manager.
"Who?" came a deep and rich voice.
Harold's tall figure cast a long and elegant shadow under the hallway lights as he turned back and enveloped her.
Maggie held her breath, "You didn't leave."
He lowered his gaze and looked at her, unfurrowing his brow, "Do you need something?"
Maggie's heart pounded like a drum, "Yes, it's a complaint letter from X State." She pointed to the other side, "Can you come with me?"
She wasn't entirely certain, but Harold's indifferent expression made her doubt if he even remembered her...
Waiting below the long platform was another government secretary, who glanced at his wristwatch. "Mayor Williams, time is running short."
Harold gestured for him to go ahead, "I'll go over there."