Peter leaned back in his chair, voice low and casual. "I''ve always known how talented Shirley is. That''s why I''ve kept her under my thumb, kept her thinking she''s not good enough-so she''d stay in the background, doing all the grunt work for us."


    Irving Butler''s gaze darkened, something flickering in his eyes. "But now that Effie -damn her-has gone and admitted how good Shirley is, I''ve got no choice. I told Effie to put Shirley''s name on the project, give her the credit. Of course, that woman refused."


    Peter''s eyes narrowed as a n began to form. "What if we just cut them out of the loop? Don''t tell Effie or Shirley anything let them start doubting each other, drive a wedge between them."


    Irving''s face lit up. He pped Peter on the shoulder. "Now that''s what I like to hear. You''ve got a bright future ahead, son."


    Peter put on his best sycophantic smile. "Only because you lead the way, Mr. Butler."


    Irving looked truly pleased. "Don''t worry. Since that director spot opened up, I''ve had my eye on you all along."


    For a moment, Peter''s fa?ade slipped, emotion flickering across his face. "Thank you, Mr. Butler. If I really do get that promotion, I''ll never forget what you''ve done for me."


    The implication couldn''t have been clearer, and Irving certainly didn''t miss it. His grin widened, smug and satisfied. "We''re in this together, Peter. You''ll be well taken care of—I guarantee it."


    Peter''s smile faltered just a little, his eyes momentarily clouded with uncertainty. "Tonight. Usual ce," Irving said.


    Peter hesitated. He had no choice but to nod. "Alright. I''ll be there."


    As Peter left Irving''s office, he couldn''t help but nce-calcted and intense- toward Effie and Shirley across the open-n floor.


    Shirley felt a sudden tightness in her throat. Instinctively, she turned to Effie. "Did you see the look Peter just gave us? Something feels off."


    Effie shrugged, calm and steady. "Don''t worry about it. Let''s just focus on our own work. Even if he''s nning something, he won''t get far."


    Her words were reassuring, but Shirley still felt uneasy.


    "I''m going to poke around-see what I can find out."


    Before Effie had joined thepany, Shirley had always been popr. Easygoing and talented, she''d won everyone over. People even joked she was the office gossip queen.


    But today, Shirley hit a wall.


    She returned to Effie, looking dejected. "Nothing. I couldn''t get a thing out of anyone. After Peter left Irving''s office, he didn''t talk to anyone, so nobody knows what''s up."  s?novel


    The more she failed to get answers, the more a sense of foreboding crept over


    her. She couldn''t shake the feeling that something bad wasing.


    Effie tried to reassure her. "Don''t overthink it. Sometimes, a calm day really is just


    a calm day. No storm on the horizon-don''t spook yourself."


    Shirley nodded halfheartedly,


    pressing her palms together like she was making a prayer. Under her breath, she muttered, “Dear Lord, please watch over me..."


    Effie couldn''t help butugh, shaking her head in amusement.


    Finally, lunchtime rolled around. Shirley brightened. "Effie, let''s get something to eat."


    "What are you in the mood for?" Effie asked.


    "There''s this amazing little Italian ce nearby-super famous, really authentic pasta, and everything else on the menu is fantastic. Want to go?"


    Effie smiled. "Sounds perfect."