"Isn''t it obvious when someone has a crush?" Shirley said, nudging Effie with a knowing smile. "I told youst time, didn''t I?"


    Effie kept her thoughts to herself. Shirley wasn''t exactly a mind reader-she got it wrong plenty of times. Maybe this was just another misfire.


    Still, that limited edition doll really was adorable.


    After clocking out for the day, Shirley headed to the bus stop for her long ride home. As she made her way down the quiet street, she suddenly felt the prickling sensation that someone was following her. She nced over her shoulder, but the sidewalk behind her was empty.


    "That''s odd," she muttered. "Am I just imagining things?"


    Shaking her head, she boarded the bus. Nearly an hourter, she finally stepped off at her stop, weary but relieved to be home.


    But as soon as her feet hit the pavement, the feeling came rushing back- someone was definitely trailing her this time.


    She clutched her purse, spun around, and came face-to-face with Suzan.


    Shirley froze. Wasn''t Suzan always boasting about her fancy lifestyle? What was she doing in this neighborhood?


    "Don''t bother guessing," Suzan said, her arms crossed. "I''m here for you."


    Shirley blinked, still processing. "Why are you looking for me?"


    "Let''s talk at your ce," Suzan suggested.


    Shirley eyed her warily. She didn''t know Suzan well, but her reputation at the office was enough-she was trouble.


    "No thanks," Shirley replied curtly. "I don''t think we have anything to talk about."


    Suzan''s lips curled up in a sly smile. "I know you''re talented. Your very first independent project was a hit. Come work for me, and I promise you won''t regret


    it."


    "Yourpany?" Shirley''s suspicion only grew.


    She was just a rookie-why would Suzan go out of her way to poach her?


    "You don''t want me to do something shady for you, do you?" Shirley asked, folding her arms.


    Suzanughed. “See, that''s what I like about you. It''s easy talking to someone sharp."


    She leaned in. "Help me out with one thing, and you''re in at E&M. I''ll


    double your sry. Your


    you get at The Etheridge Group-two points more, in fact."


    Suzan seemed convinced that no one could say no to such a deal.


    But Shirley shook her head, calm in the face of Suzan''s smug confidence. "No, thanks. I''d rather stay at The Etheridge Group."


    Suzan nearly choked on her own frustration. “Do you even hear


    yourself, Shirley? I''m offering y


    golden opportunity, and you''re just throwing it away?"  fo


    “No need to say anything more. I''m not interested. Please leave," Shirley replied, her tone polite but firm.


    If she really betrayed Effie now, she thought, even if she made it to E&M, people like Suzan would never trust her. Leaders always guard against those who betray-they know if you''ve done it once, you''ll do it again.


    Besides, Shirley realized she genuinely preferred working with Effie.


    "You''re an idiot. You''ll regret this!" Suzan spat, storming off in a huff.


    As Suzan disappeared down the block, Shirley let out a sigh of relief and headed home.


    A little ways away, Suzan pulled out her phone and spoke in a low voice, "Well? Did you get it?"


    "Got it," came the reply on the other end.


    "Perfect." A sly, triumphant grin crept across Suzan''s face, her eyes glinting with mischief.