"That's right, I only found out today," Maeve smiled. "If Miss Vance hadn't reminded me, I'd have never thanked my 'savior.' I felt awful."

The secretaries stared at Molly, their faces a mixture of confusion and suspicion. Molly hadn't mentioned Maeve's displeasure, let alone this "saving" business. Maeve clearly didn't play by the rules.

Molly winced. "Ms. Reese, you've misunderstood. I—"

"Miss Vance, don't worry. I understand," Maeve interrupted, her gaze sincere. "Like you said, if you hadn't reminded Mr. McDaniel, I wouldn't have been 'saved.' I appreciate it."

Molly froze. What a liar! she thought. I never said that!

The secretary-general, sharp as a tack, saw Molly's reaction and instantly grasped the situation. Molly's recent arrogance, fueled by office gossip and preferential treatment, had clearly gone to her head. The secretary-general felt a prickle of unease. How had this become about Maeve being rescued by Molly?

Molly might be competent, but to claim she’d saved Maeve was a stretch. The secretaries exchanged glances. Was Molly trying to coerce Ms. Reese? Especially in public?

Even the secretary-general felt embarrassed for Molly. Maeve, still smiling, had coffee delivered.

"Delicacy Store!" a secretary gasped. "Afternoon coffee there? You have to book weeks in advance!"

It was outrageously expensive. The secretary-general was equally stunned. "Ms. Reese, you're incredibly generous."

"My pleasure," Maeve replied smoothly. "You all work tirelessly for Mr. McDaniel. This is a small thank you. Miss Vance, yours is separate; the rest is for everyone."

Who wouldn't love Delicacy Store coffee? The secretaries, their embarrassment over Molly's behavior fading, beamed their thanks. Their impression of Maeve soared.

Molly stood stiffly, nails digging into her palms. Maeve had deliberately undermined her, bribing everyone to turn against her. How could someone as virtuous as Mr. McDaniel be fooled by such a woman?

Maeve left shortly after. The secretary-general addressed the others gravely. "This has reached Ms. Reese. If Mr. McDaniel finds out, we'll all face consequences."

"Yes, ma'am," they murmured.

Molly felt targeted. "Molly," the secretary-general said, her tone cold. "Give Anna your current projects. Do better." She'd initially seen potential in Molly, but now… Molly would cause trouble. She'd be better suited as a personal secretary.

Molly's face drained. All her hard work, and now this? Because of that woman?

Back in Byron's office, Maeve sat sipping her coffee, ignoring him.

"Forty-five minutes for coffee, Miss Reese?" Byron asked, a faint smile playing on his lips. "And you used my card for the secretaries?"

"Yes," Maeve replied calmly. "I bought coffee for everyone in the office."

Byron raised an eyebrow. "You treated them to afternoon coffee, but forgot mine?"

"You expect me to make you coffee before I've had my own? Dream on," Maeve retorted sarcastically. "After a few days, you think you can treat me like some unpaid intern?"

Byron was taken aback. "Who upset you?" he asked, frowning. "Tell me, and I'll deal with them."

Maeve wrote a name on a piece of paper and slid it across.

Byron stared at the paper, speechless. It read: "Byron. Bastard."

His girlfriend, sleep-deprived and furious, was not to be trifled with.

"I already wrote it down. Tell him to get lost," Maeve said tightly. If not for her first love, she wouldn't be subjected to this. Molly had accused Maeve of stealing. The accusation stung – a painful echo of her past.

In high school, her brother had stolen money, and the Reese family, finding forty dollars on Maeve, had accused her of theft, beating her and throwing her out. She'd fallen ill, missing her college entrance exams.

A wave of clarity washed over her, a fragmented memory suddenly sharp and clear.

Maeve forgot her anger, her mind reeling. Then, she felt herself lifted into the air.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, clinging to Byron's neck. "What are you doing?" The memory of the forty dollars was almost whole again.