s adamant about using a different service. I called a highly-rated, more expensive company and explicitly told them about

the crew in. I opened the door, and my jaw tightened. Standing

surprised to see me. "Al

ically told your company not to send you." Obviously, that m

s tone shifting to a whine. "My othe

f," I corrected him. "You are not sett

e door, but he put

aded. "Just let me do the j

pushing against the door. "Get your foot

e pulled his foot back, but his expre

you still have to pay

service sends a person I specifical

ut here," he insisted. He then pulled a crumpled in

d. "Three hundred dollars? For driving here? The en

out his chest. "Emergency call-out fee. T

rd call-out fee is fifty dollars," I sho

as trying the same overcharging scam a

e said, his voice dropping.

'm going to call your manager right now and tell

tarted looking up the numbe

grabbing my arm. I sh

t tou

isper. "One hundred dollars. Just give me one hundred and I'll leave, I

his price from three hundred to on

my finger hovering over the call button. "You are a fraud, and yo

veling fear. He was swallowing hard, his eyes wide. "Don

e you decided to become a con artist,"

ing company's main office and spoke to a regional manager. I explained everything – Henderson's past behavi

ould be fired immediately and that they would launch an internal investigation

ter, as I was doing a final walkthrough with my real est

heard you're finally leaving. Good thing,

u talking ab

was telling everyone you refused to pay him for his work, that you threw

. He was actively trying to ruin my reputation, spreading m

inally clear. This wasn't just about money

The apartment was empty, silent, and clean. It felt sterile, no longer my home. As I was about to l

cleaning crew had left hours ago. Th

thumb hovering over the 9-1-1 icon. I crept to

sed to be, was a sleeping bag. And in it, a man I