Chapter 3

They spread rumors about me, causing my customers to drop the flowers and leave.

I was so furious that my hands were shaking. I was shocked by his shamelessness.

The flowers in my shop were delivered every night, carefully arranged by me for sale the next day.

Yet, this guy spread rumors, claiming that I had an inappropriate relationship with the delivery workers.

My flower shop had been running for almost five years. I worked hard every day. Not only were my prices lower than most other shops, but my flowers were air-shipped fresh every day, so fresh that you could literally see the water dripping off them.

I had been running this shop with integrity, but he slandered me with lies.

I clenched my fists, telling myself not to show weakness.

"Everything needs proof. If you're spreading rumors, I'll take legal action."

Today was Valentine's Day, one of the most profitable days of the year. I had hoped to handle this privately, avoiding the time-consuming police report.

But this guy, Robert, clearly wasn't going to let it go.

I pulled out my phone and called the police.

He tried to grab my phone, but I dodged him.

When the police arrived, his attitude was still arrogant.

They stepped over the flowers and vases scattered on the floor and took both of us to the station.

Once at the station, his arrogance quickly deflated.

He no longer had that thug-like attitude.

"This lady reports that you damaged her shop's property and spread rumors about her shop's illegitimacy," the officer said, taking notes.

Robert's face changed immediately. "This is a misunderstanding, officer!

"If it weren't for her using training banknotes that my crush found out about, my crush and I would've been together!

"She's the one who destroyed my relationship! I was just giving her a little lesson!"

Of course, he didn't mention the part where he tried to get a bouquet worth 5,200 dollars for just 50 dollars. He conveniently skipped that part.

I interrupted, "Why don't you mention how you tried to get a bouquet worth 5,200 dollars for just 50 dollars? Dream on! Your crush just blocked you, and that's already too much for you! She blocked you but didn't even insult you."

He was angered by me and shouted, "You fucking bitch! Officer! She's admitting that she ruined my relationship! I'm so angry. I have a headache and stomach pain. I need to go to the hospital, and she owes me compensation for emotional distress!"

He was throwing a tantrum on the ground.

"Stay quiet!"

He forced a smile. "Yes, sir."

The officer turned to me. "Can you explain what happened?"

I presented the chat history and security footage, showing that he had attempted to extort me and then damaged my shop's facilities.

"He also spread rumors about my shop being involved in illegal activities.

"I'm going to sue him for defamation."

Robert, now frantic, shouted, "Look at how well-dressed you are, and with all those men coming in and out of your shop, it's hard not to suspect something! I just said a couple of things. Why are you suing me for that?"

The officer tapped the table with his pen. "Stay quiet."

He finally stopped talking.

The officer looked up at him and said, "You really think you can get a bouquet worth 5,200 dollars for just 50 dollars? Why don't you just go rob her? Your actions are clearly illegal."

"And you spreading rumors about me being involved in illegal activities has damaged my reputation," I added.

The officer nodded. "That's right. You're guilty of provoking trouble and will be detained for four days. You need to compensate the shop owner for the damages.

"As for spreading rumors, you'll be detained for five days and fined 500 dollars..."