"Ms. Cameron, would you prefer to leave on your own, or shall I have you escorted out?"


    Ste''s expression remained cool and detached. "Haynes asked me toe."


    Lacey''s smile was edged with contempt, as if she were watching some ridiculous sideshow.


    "Sorry, Ms. Cameron, but I haven''t received any word from Mr. O''Brien."


    With that, Lacey turned to the security guards standing nearby. "Well? What are you waiting for? Remove this unauthorized visitor."


    The two guards strode over, their demeanor threatening.


    Ste shot Lacey a withering nce. "Arrogance and snap judgments based on personal likes and dislikes are hardly the marks of a professional executive assistant, Lacey. You''ll regret acting this way today."


    Lacey offered a dismissive smirk, the disdain in on her face.


    Ste didn''t waste another word. She turned to leave.


    Lacey had been with The O''Brien Group for years, rising from a junior secretary to the personal assistant to the CEO. Herpetency was undeniable, but she''d always made her dislike of Ste abundantly clear. Like Jasper, she considered Ste useless, unworthy of Haynes, and never bothered to hide her cold contempt.


    Just then, a gentle voice drifted from the entrance.


    "What''s going on here?"


    Lacey turned, her icy demeanor immediately thawing.


    A polite smile spread across her face. "Ms. Pearce, are you here to see Mr. O''Brien?"


    "Yes, Haynie asked me to drop by," Rachel said, ncing at Ste in surprise. "Is something wrong?"


    Annoyance flickered in Lacey''s eyes as she shot Ste a look. "Mr. O''Brien doesn''t want Ms. Cameron here. Last time she showed up at The O''Brien Group, the security team and the receptionist nearly lost their jobs. Now she''s here again, causing trouble. I''m afraid we have no choice but to ask her to leave."


    Jasper, standing off to the side, snickered. "If someone''s so clueless, maybe we should put up a sign at the door: ''No entry for certain people-or dogs.""


    "Jasper," Rachel cut in sharply, "that''s enough."


    He rolled his eyes at Ste. "Rx, I was only joking."


    Rachel looked at Ste and sighed softly. She turned to Lacey. "Lacey, I''ve known Ms. Cameron for a while. Let''s let her leave with some dignity, all right? She can go on her own."


    Lacey hesitated. "But Mr. O''Brien gave strict instructions..."


    Rachel smiled reassuringly. "Don''t worry, I''ll exin it to Haynie. He won''t me you."


    Relief softened Lacey''s face. "All right, we''ll do as you say." She nodded at the guards. "You''re dismissed."


    The two guards withdrew.


    Jasper shot Ste a sideways nce. "Ste, Rachel just stuck her neck out for you. Not even a thank you?"


    Ste offered a faint, unruffled smile.


    "Mr. Wilkinson, I believe you''re still


    out on baj, aren''t you? If you get into trouble again, not even the bestwyer will be able to save you. Maybe instead of hanging around here with Ms. Pearce, you should be thinking of how to make proper amends and earn our forgiveness."


    Jasper''s face darkened. "Ste, you—"


    "That''s enough, Jasper." Rachel took his arm. "Haynie''s waiting for us. Let''s go."


    With ast frosty re, Jasper turned away.


    Once inside the elevator, the two of them started talking about the uing g.


    "Haynie''s really something," Jasper said. "He even managed to get the most mysterious, most sought-after headliner for you. You keep saying he''s changed, but honestly? Pthink he''s only gotten better for you."