Effie paused, ncing around the room before she spoke. "The same goes for all of you—if you ever feel unhappy working here, or if you have any concerns, just say so. I''d rather you leave than have everyone miserable and stressed out. No point in making yourselves sick over it."


    "We wouldn''t dream of it. We all love working with you, Miss Bagnold," one of the team replied, and the others quickly chimed in their agreement.


    Effie knew better than to take their words at face value. Who could say how much truth there was in those reassurances? But since no one was willing to be honest, she decided to y along and pretend she believed them.


    The moment Marian left The Etheridge Group, she pulled out her phone and called Suzan. "Miss Bagnold, I just handed Effie my resignation. Is there a spot open for me at your firm?"


    Suzan was clearly taken aback. "Marian, did they kick you out because they found out about us? If that''s the case, you do realize what we''ve done is illegal, don''t you? Bringing you on board now could ruin mypany''s reputation."


    Truth be told, Suzan had only ever intended to use Marian as a pawn. She''d never seriously considered bringing her into E&M.


    Marian didn''t miss a beat. "That''s right, what we did is illegal-which is why I''ve saved all our chat logs. If you think you can just toss me aside now, I''ll go to the authorities. I''m not going down alone, Suzan. If I fall, you''reing with me."


    Suzan was furious, but for the moment, there was nothing she could do.


    "Fine. If you want toe over, thene," she snapped.


    Marian grinned, brimming with confidence. She was certain that, given her talent, she''d shine anywhere even if The Etheridge Group no longer wanted her.


    Later, when Effie and her team were at Elliott''s Cozy Room entertaining a client, they happened to run into Suzan and Marian.


    The moment Marian spotted Effie, she tilted her chin high, looking down her nose as if the whole world owed her something.


    "I warned you, Effie. You''ll regret this," Marian said, her voice dripping with smugness.


    Effie just smiled, the corners of her lips curling up ever so slightly.


    "Marian, do you really think your little schemes were wless? Joining Suzan''s firm now is only digging your own grave. Believe me, you''ll figure it out soon enough."


    Marian scoffed, clearly not buying a word of it "You''re just jealous, that''s all. Sour grapes, Effie. Admit it you regret letting me go! Well, too bad. I''ll help E&M crush yourpany."


    Suzanughed quietly beside her. She turned to Effie and said, "Sister, after all the bad choices you''ve made, you must be full of regrets by now. And here you are, making the same mistake again. But this time, there''s no turning back."


    Pride wouldn''t let Suzan show her distaste for Marian in front of Effie. Besides, Marian''s personality might be grating, but her design talent was undeniable.


    Marian might havee from a small town, but she''d won full schrships all her life, and every designpetition she entered in college ended with her in first ce.


    Suzan figured Effie must be kicking herself for letting such a valuable asset slip away.


    For now, Suzan decided she''d squeeze everyst drop of value out of Marian before dealing with herter.


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!