Valerie had a creeping feeling that someone was gossiping about her. She was in her office, reviewing files, when Ronald entered.

"Hey, Valerie," he said, "forget the outside noise. Focus on memorizing these materials. We rarely get someone selected for Noria Group. Don't blow it." He'd wasted no time that morning, dragging Valerie into the office to study. He was even more anxious about her selection than she was.

Valerie chuckled. "But everyone else is working. Can't slack off, or they'll gossip."

"I told you to do it," Ronald huffed. "Who'd dare say anything? If they do, they should aim to be a top salesperson and get into Noria Group, too. But Valerie, I'll really miss you if you leave. You've gotta visit us whenever you can."

"Don't worry, Ronald," Valerie admitted. "Honestly, you've had my back all these years. I already see you as family."

Ronald felt relieved. "Leaving might be for the best. With Dylan's backing, he'd keep targeting you if you stayed. At Noria Group, he can't control you anymore. Maybe one day, you'll be overseeing him."

Valerie smiled. She hadn't thought that far ahead. For now, the most appealing part of Noria Group was the doubled salary.

Suddenly, they heard a ruckus outside. "You sit tight," Valerie said. "I'll go check it out."

In the lobby, everyone wore curious expressions. Isabel, who'd been fired days ago and hadn't picked up her belongings, had returned. Her locker had been assigned to a new employee, who had packed Isabel's things into a bag and left it in the corner.

Isabel exploded, yelling at the new employee, "Who said you could touch my stuff?"

The terrified newbie backed off. Valerie stepped forward to shield her, giving Isabel a serious look.

"Isabel, calm down," Valerie said, cutting to the chase. "Company rules; it's not her fault. And you're supposed to take your belongings when you leave. No one's obligated to store your personal items."

Seeing Valerie, Isabel froze, her anger intensifying. "Valerie, you're not one to lecture me. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be in this mess."

"Isabel, if you weren't up to no good, nobody would have messed with you," Valerie replied, her tone casual but firm. "Take your stuff and leave. Already wrecked your reputation enough?" Her words stung Isabel. She snatched the bag and stormed out.

Isabel's anger grew. How dare Valerie, that "country bumpkin," act superior? After the mess at Noria Group, even Dylan had abandoned her. Now Arcton Cars had fired her, and no Noria Group subsidiary would hire her. She needed a new job.

She couldn't bear the thought of starting over. She decided to contact Dylan again later. She didn't believe he was completely uninterested in her. If she could reel Dylan back in, she could still get some money from him. Valerie was still just another worker bee, even at Noria Group, while Isabel could make money without effort.

Feeling somewhat reassured, Isabel pulled out her phone to call Dylan, but then she saw a woman striding aggressively toward her. The moment their eyes met, Isabel's face went pale, and she seemed about to bolt.

After seeing Isabel leave, Valerie sensed something was wrong. Normally, Katherine would have confronted Isabel's arrogance. But Katherine was nowhere to be seen.

Valerie looked around and noticed Katherine's absence. Worried, she quickly asked an employee, "Where's Katherine?"

The employee hesitated. "Didn't you know? Dylan took her on a business trip."