"Ma''am, you must have misunderstood. As long as you sign with The Etheridge Group, we''ll take full responsibility. We guarantee you''ll be satisfied with the final product," Irving Butler assured Ms. Cooper, his tone smooth and practiced.


    Odd. He was sure he''d heard that voice before-there was something uncannily familiar about it.


    Effie watched Irving Butler, her thoughts sharp. Typical old fox, she mused. Not a single crack in his armor.


    “If Effie doesn''t stay on this ount, the deal''s off,” Ms. Cooper said, her gaze unwavering on Irving Butler.


    He barely concealed his indifference. "Well, that''s unfortunate, but since Effie failed to meet thepany''s requirements, she''ll have to be let go. If you refuse to work with another team member, we simply can''t take your business."


    Ms. Cooper let out a short, coldugh. "Fine."


    Effie turned to him. "Mr. Butler, do you even know who thisdy is?"


    "How should I know?" he scoffed.


    "She''s Ms. Cooper. The same Ms. Cooper you specifically asked me to handle."


    "What?!" Irving Butler''s eyes widened in disbelief.


    It hit him all at once-memory snapping into ce. No wonder her voice had sounded so familiar. She was that Ms. Cooper.


    The moment he realized who she was, his demeanor flipped. He forced a wide, obsequious smile. "Ms. Cooper, my apologies. I didn''t recognize you-my mistake entirely."


    Ms. Cooper lifted her chin, cool and regal. "Weren''t you just refusing to take my business?"


    "No, no, not at all! Total misunderstanding, I assure you," Irving Butler stammered, twisting his lips into a strained grin.


    "Can I get you something to drink? It''s nearly lunchtime—I''d be delighted to take you out—"


    Ms. Cooper raised a hand to cut him off. "That won''t be necessary. All I want is for Designer Bagnold to handle my ount."


    She fixed him with a steely look. "You said if Designer Bagnold didn''t sign with me, she''d be out. Well, I''ve signed. What do you have to say now?"


    "I... I owe her an apology." Forcing himself to swallow his pride, Irving turned to Effie, his jaw visibly clenched though he tried to look contrite. "Effie, I''m truly sorry. This was all a misunderstanding. Why didn''t you tell me earlier?"


    Trying to shift the me, as always.


    Effie raised an eyebrow, the corners of her mouth twitching. "Did you give me a chance to?"


    Irving Butler was left speechless.


    "That''s settled, then. I''ll being to Designer Bagnold for all future projects," Ms. Cooper dered.


    "Lina, we''re leaving." She gestured to her assistant.


    Lina lingered for a moment, reluctant to go. "Miss Bagnold, goodbye."


    "Goodbye," Effie replied with a gentle smile.


    Irving Butler, desperate to salvage his dignity, hustled over. "Ms. Cooper, let me walk you out."


    "No need. I''d prefer Effie to do that," Ms. Cooper replied curtly.


    Irving''s smile froze, mortification coloring his cheeks. The department manager, upstaged by his own employee.


    At the elevator, Ms. Cooper turned to Effie. "That''s far enough. Thank you." Effie grinned. "Of course."


    Lina nced back, whispering, "Miss Bagnold, your boss is such a dog-not just in looks, but in how he acts, too."


    Recalling Irving Butler''s groveling performance, Effie had to admit, Lina had a point. Sheughed. "He really is, isn''t he?"


    Ms. Cooper added, "I stood up for you back there. If you ever need anything, just let me know. I''ve got your back."