Shirley thought for a moment and said, "If it were me, I think I''d be okay with it. Just because someone else is better doesn''t mean you can''t work hard yourself. You can push yourself to catch up, to be strong too."


    Effie gave a softugh. "If everyone had your attitude, we wouldn''t have so much office drama."


    Effie sifted through Shirley''s portfolio, picking out eight pieces. "You gave me twelve designs this time, but I think four still need work-they could be perfect with a bit more polish. I''ll take these eight to Irving for now."


    Shirley''s eyes widened. "Wow, eight? That''s already way more than I expected. I thought maybe one would make the cut."


    Effie smiled, shaking her head. "Why are you always selling yourself short?"


    Effie left to find Irving Butler. As soon as she was gone, Peter sidled over, voice dripping with sarcasm. "You can''t really be naive enough to think Effie''s going to help you, can you?"


    Shirley shot him an annoyed look. "And what, you think you will?"


    Peter gave a smug little smirk. "Of course. I''ve been at thispany forever, and Irving and I go way back. If you hand those designs over to me instead, I promise you''ll make a lot more money."


    Shirley parted her lips, about to reply, but Peter cut her off before she could say a word.


    "No need to rush your answer," he said, holding up a hand. "Let''s wait and see what Effie says when shees out, okay?"


    Shirley shook her head. "Don''t bother. Effie''s the only one I trust."


    Peter''s eyes narrowed, his expression darkening as he muttered through clenched teeth, "Utterly foolish. Just don''te crying to meter.”


    Just then, Effie came back out, clearly upset.


    "Effie?" Shirley ventured carefully.


    Peter, ever the opportunist, shed Shirley a smug grin. "See? I told you she wouldn''t pull it off. Maybe now you''ll believe me."


    Shirley pressed her lips together, refusing to respond.


    Effie turned on Peter sharply. "What are you doing out here, stirring up trouble?”


    She added coldly, "You never have anything good to say, do you?"


    Peter''s re deepened. "Don''t get ahead of yourself, Effie. One day, you''ll be the one packing up your desk."


    Effie just raised an eyebrow,pletely unfazed. "I''m curious-will you beat me to it, or will I go first?"


    Peter let out a derisive snort. "We''ll see about that."


    Effie turned back to Shirley. "Irving


    loved


    want


    your designs. But he doesn''t give you credit. He


    I put my name on yo said?


    work."


    A wave of disappointment washed over Shirley. She''d imagined a dozen possible


    oues, and unfortunately, this was one of them.


    She forced a small smile. "It''s fine. I figured as much."


    Effie shook her head. "No, it''s not fine. These are your designs. Your name should be on them."


    Shirley looked at her gratefully. "Really it''s okay. You''ve done


    everything you could. I don''t wel


    nov


    make trouble for you over something like this."


    Effie''s tone was firm. "This isn''t nothing, Shirley."


    While the two women talked quietly, Peter was called into Irving Butler''s office.


    "You wanted to see me, Irving?"


    Irving looked up from his desk.


    know,


    that


    Shirley is really


    "You


    . She''s still new, butel.ne


    s are already impressive."


    Peter''s expression didn''t flicker—he looked like he''d seen iting all along.