"How dare you talk to me like that!" Isabel spat, visibly livid.

"I'm just spitting facts!" Katherine shot back.

Their squabble drew stares from everyone around. Dylan Hart, the manager, emerged from his office, clearly annoyed. "What's all this about?"

Valerie quickly stepped in front of Katherine, shielding her. "Mr. Hart," Valerie began, "I handled that deal from start to finish. Why is it suddenly being handed over to Isabel?"

Dylan responded coolly, "Here's the deal: you stepped out of line. Those clients arrived an hour earlier, and Isabel was initially assisting them. Just because she stepped out for lunch and you closed the deal doesn't mean it was your sale. It's only fair it goes back to her."

With Dylan's support, Isabel puffed up, defiant. "Exactly! If you have a problem, Valerie, why not check the surveillance footage!"

Valerie knew the real story. Those clients had been referred by a former customer specifically for her and had even waited for her arrival before looking at samples. Grateful for their trust, she was disgusted by the duo's audacity.

Dylan continued, "Let's drop it for today. Valerie, I'm not going to hold this against you, considering your track record."

"Mr. Hart," Valerie interrupted, her voice calm but firm, "just to confirm, you're definitely giving my sale to Isabel?"

"Yes!" Dylan faltered under her stern gaze, momentarily surprised by her intensity. He thought, I never knew Valerie could be this commanding. But before he could elaborate, Valerie turned and walked away.

Katherine hurried to catch up with Valerie, overhearing Isabel and Dylan's mocking laughter. "Isabel's laugh is so loud—she's making damn sure everyone knows she's cozy with Dylan. And she accuses you of getting by on your looks? What about her, getting by on… whatever? And if Dylan hadn't been parachuted in, you'd be running the office!"

"Katherine," Valerie cut in sharply, "now that Dylan is our boss, you really shouldn't talk like that. It's too easy to rub people the wrong way."

"Fine. But Valerie, they've crossed the line. Shouldn't we take this to Mr. Moreno?"

Valerie shook her head. "Dylan was placed here by the Norris Group. Our general manager at Arcion wouldn't dare cross him."

Katherine was frustrated. "So we just let this slide?"

Valerie raised an eyebrow, silent for a moment, but her mind was working overtime. She wasn't interested in Isabel and Dylan's scheming. Normally, she could overlook their pettiness. But block my income? That's like declaring war, she thought fiercely.

Behind them, Isabel was gleefully thanking Dylan, practically melting into his arms as he chuckled and gave her a playful squeeze. However, his eyes couldn't help but follow Valerie as she walked away.

Dylan was no stranger to flirtatious women like Isabel, but it was Valerie's rare combination of beauty and cool demeanor that intrigued him. He knew she came from a humble background, and it baffled him how someone from such a modest upbringing could carry herself with such poise. How did she manage to turn out so classy? he wondered.

Dylan's thoughts raced, and he became more determined to put Valerie in her place. Once Isabel has poached all of Valerie's clients, she'll be begging me for help, he thought smugly.

But Dylan was in for a shock. Just days later, as he was about to leave work, his phone rang. It was a call from his boss at the Norris Group, unleashing a torrent of criticism. He berated Dylan for abusing his power and not keeping his personal involvements professional.

Catching his breath, Dylan asked how his boss had found out.

"Now you're worried! One of your subordinates went straight to Mr. Grant with a complaint. He told me about it! If I hadn't vouched for you, you'd already be out!" his boss shouted over the phone.

The "Mr. Grant" he was talking about was the formidable new CEO of the Norris Group, not someone to be crossed.

Dylan's face drained of color. He couldn't believe Valerie had the guts to go directly to him. How does she even know Mr. Grant? Could there be something between them? His mind raced with unsettling thoughts.

Dylan knew angering the new CEO meant more than losing his job; it could ruin his career in Kranson City.

"Consider this a warning. Straighten up and be more careful from now on," his boss warned sharply.

With shaking legs, Dylan quickly agreed and, without a second thought, ordered Isabel to return all of Valerie's client information.

12:15 PM

Isabel, clueless about the gravity of the situation and unwilling to comply at first, changed her tune when Dylan, usually so lenient, erupted in anger. Frightened, she had no choice but to follow his orders.

"What about the rest?" Valerie asked coolly as she flipped through the files, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. "Isabel, you've stolen three of my clients this month. I expect the rest of the documents and information to be ready when I come in tomorrow morning."

"Valerie! Cut it out. Do you think you're the CEO's wife or something? Don't push it!" Isabel snapped, rolling her eyes.

The final "BEND GIFT" appears to be extraneous and has been removed.