Waiter Jason Blamed Lucas for the Spilled Soda — Then the Restaurant Camera Showed Rachel What Really Happened

Chapter 5 — Denise’s Brother

His name was Eric Warren.

Jason had seen him around the restaurant several times.

He never understood why.

Eric didn’t work there.

According to Jason, he often sat alone for hours.

Denise gave him free meals.

Sometimes they disappeared into the office together.

Mark looked increasingly uncomfortable.

“Denise isn’t authorized to give out free meals.”

Jason frowned.

“She does it all the time.”

Mark searched recent transaction records.

There were dozens of voided orders under Denise’s login.

Small amounts.

Eight dollars.

Twelve.

Seventeen.

But over months, they added up.

Then Mark noticed something worse.

Several refunds had been issued after customers paid cash.

The register showed money being returned.

But camera footage showed no customer receiving anything.

Rachel understood immediately.

“Someone was keeping the refund money.”

Mark nodded.

Jason stared at the screen.

“Denise?”

Mark checked the employee credentials.

Every suspicious refund had been processed under Denise’s account.

Then he looked at Jason’s schedule.

Nearly every transaction had occurred while Jason was working.

“Why does that matter?” Rachel asked.

Mark pulled up an internal report.

“Because Denise has been documenting register shortages on Jason’s shifts.”

Jason stood abruptly.

“She blamed those on me too.”

Mark nodded.

Suddenly the fake complaints made sense.

If Jason was eventually fired for poor performance and cash discrepancies, any missing money could be blamed on him afterward.

Rachel looked at Jason.

“She was building a record against you.”

Jason’s face went pale.

“I was supposed to take the fall.”

Lucas stared at him.

Jason noticed.

For the first time since the soda spilled, Jason seemed to understand exactly what he had done to the boy.

Someone had falsely blamed Jason.

And minutes earlier, Jason had done the same thing to Lucas.