Shirley shot Effie a sympathetic look. "Irving is just in awful. He''s deliberately setting traps for you-he wants you gone."


    She paused, then leaned in, lowering her voice. "Why don''t you go talk to Mr. Etheridge?"


    With Lyman backing her, surely Irving Butler wouldn''t dare pull any more stunts. Effie shook her head. "It''s not worth bothering him over something this minor." Besides, she wasn''t about to let Irving Butler off the hook that easily.


    Just then, the receptionist arrived with Ms. Cooper and Lina in tow.


    Effie blinked in surprise. "What are you two doing up here?"


    Ms. Cooper turned to Effie, her expression apologetic. "I owe you an apology for earlier. Would you mind walking me through your entire design in detail?"


    Effie hesitated for half a second, then quickly nodded. "Of course, I''d be happy to."


    "Shall we move to the conference room?" she suggested.


    "Perfect."


    Shirley watched them from a distance, not quite sure what was being said, but as soon as Effie and the others entered the conference room, she went over to prepare some coffee and water for them-the Etheridge Group always prided itself on hospitality.


    No one expected Effie, Ms. Cooper, and Lina to remain in the conference room for so long. Before anyone realized it, the workday was nearly over.


    Suddenly, Irving Butler stormed out of his office, his tone sharp. "Where''s Effie? Where did she go?"


    Seeing her desk empty, he smirked to himself, assuming Effie had gotten scared and left early. Good-maybe she finally realized her ce and saved him the trouble of firing her.


    "Mr. Butler, Effie''s in the conference room, she-" Shirley began.


    But Irving''s face darkened instantly. "Effie has the nerve to monopolize the conference room now?"


    Shirley hurried to exin. "No, Mr. Butler, she''s meeting with clients in there."


    "Clients? What clients? Don''t make excuses!" Irving snapped, striding towards the conference room. He flung open the door and barked, "Effie, the day''s over. Pack your things and get out. Or do you want me to handle your termination personally?"


    Lina looked at Effie in shock. "Miss Bagnold, you''re leaving? Does that mean you won''t be handling our ount anymore? If you''re not with us the whole way, I won''t feelfortable."


    Ms. Cooper chimed in, "That''s right. If it''s not you, I''m not signing anything."


    Irving paused, Ms. Cooper''s voice sounding vaguely familiar, though he couldn''t quite ce it.


    Effie turned to reassure them. "It''s just a misunderstanding. I''m not going anywhere."


    Irving scoffed, "Don''t make empty promises, Effie. I told you-if you couldn''tnd Ms. Cooper''s contract, you were out. Don''t think picking up a few small deals will make up for your blunder!"


    Ms. Cooper let out a coldugh and said deliberately, "So, the Etheridge Group isn''t interested in my contract?"


    She had always been fiercely protective of her own, and after hours spent brainstorming with Effie, she''d grown to genuinely like this talented, gentle, and remarkablyposed young woman. Seeing Effie bullied like this didn''t sit right with her.


    Irving hesitated, still unaware just how valuable this client''s contract might be. Judging by her appearance—a woman with a young girl in tow-he figured she was probably the type to pinch pennies anyway.