When Georgia left, she didn''t even bother tidying up her office. She just grabbed a few personal items and her favorite little desk trinkets, stuffed them into a small


    box, and walked out of thepany.


    She''d thought that getting fired—especially after crossing Victoria—would win her some sympathy, maybe even support. She imagined a crowd of coworkers seeing her off, maybe some words of encouragement.


    But as she walked all the way to the elevator, nobody even looked her way. Every colleague she passed treated her like she was invisible. Not a single nce, not even a whisperedment.


    The disappointment hit hard, gradually morphing into anger. So this was how quickly people turned on you. Out of sight, out of mind.


    What Georgia didn''t know was that the entire office was quietly celebrating her departure. No one shed a tear, and quite a few were relieved.


    After all, she''d spent months swaggering around, throwing her weight behind Violet''s authority, acting superior to everyone. She''d made plenty of enemies. Just that morning, she''d even dragged Mr. Garcia into her fight with Victoria-who in their right mind would scold thepany''s CEO in front of everyone?


    At the elevator, the doors slid open with a soft ding. A tall woman stepped out, files in hand. She was striking-attractive, polished, with a professional air.


    Georgia couldn''t help but nce at her repeatedly. Noticing the attention, the woman approached.


    "Excuse me, could you point me to Ms. Marchand''s office? I''m here to interview for her assistant''s position."


    Georgia almost burst into tears right then and there. She hadn''t even fully left and already someone was being brought in to rece her.


    She''d thought Violet would never find a better assistant, that she''d be begged toe back. Instead, she''d been swapped out faster than a trash bag.


    "No idea. Find it yourself," Georgia snapped, then stormed into the elevator, hugging her box tightly. As the doors closed, she realized her ties with Quantum Core Technologies had ended for good.


    Victoria spent the entire day holed up in the server room, only emerging with everyone else when work was done. The crisis had been handled, but a new set of challenges awaited.


    "Victoria, everyone''s exhausted. Let me treat you all to dinner tonight," George offered, hoping to lift the team''s spirits.


    Victoria hesitated-she was tired and not much in the mood forpany. But she''de here to build rtionships with the tech team, and this was a perfect chance.


    "All right," she nodded. It was a group event, and skipping it would make her seem aloof.


    "I''ll invite Ms. Ailie, too," George added. "I know you two get along."


    Victoria gave her assent.


    That evening, George took everyone to a Japanese restaurant. The group settled into a private booth, chatting freely.


    Ailie arrivedte; by the time she came in, everyone was already eating. Victoria had saved her a seat. Ailie sat down, took a sip of wine, and leaned closer.


    "Good news-Georgia''s gone," she whispered.


    Victoria blinked. "What?"


    George lifted his ss. "To Ailie! I propose a toast for her hard work!"


    Everyone cheered. Besides Victoria, everyone already knew about Georgia''s firing. The mood in the room was jubnt. Georgia had made too many enemies; no one was sorry to see her go.


    Victoria was still puzzled. "What happened?"


    Ailie grinned. "Let''s just say I borrowed a little help from your friend, the CEO of EmilyTech Solutions, and got her dismissed for gross misconduct. Even Violet couldn''t save her this time."


    Ailie took another sip, looking immensely satisfied. As manager of the investment department—someone who''d been here longer than even Violet-she''d had enough of Georgia''s bullying.


    Victoria shook her head, then raised her ss. "Tonight, everyone, eat and drink as you please—it''s my treat. Ms. Ailie justnded a major deal. Order whatever you like, she''s picking up the tab."


    The group burst intoughter, grabbing the elegant menus and zeroing in on the most expensive items.


    Ailie groaned quietly. "Give me a break, Victoria. I haven''t even received my bonus yet. Your assistant only delivered the contract to the EmilyTech CEO this afternoon."


    Watching everyone order the priciest dishes, Ailie felt a headacheing on. She''d thought George was footing the bill; she''d never have agreed otherwise.


    "Rx," Victoria said with a mischievous smile. "EmilyTech''s CEO will sign it, no doubt. Besides, this dinner will cost more than a bonus-twenty grand, at least."


    "What?" Ailie nearly leapt from her seat. "How much?"


    Twenty thousand for dinner? She''d rather be eaten alive.


    Victoria was about to admit she was only joking, but just then the curtain at the booth''s entrance was pulled aside.


    Curtis walked in, and everyone scrambled to their feet.


    "Mr. Garcia?"


    "Mr. Garcia..."


    Ailie, mouth still full of lobster, stared in disbelief.


    "Did you invite him?" she hissed at Victoria.


    With the CEO here, how could anyone rx?


    Victoria shook her head. "Wasn''t me."


    As Curtis stepped in, the person beside Victoria immediately stood up to offer


    their seat.


    "Mr. Garcia, please take this seat. I''ll move across from the sashimi."


    Just like that, Curtis took the ce beside Victoria.