"So you''re telling me—a senior executive, in front of the entirepany,


    deliberately provoked a former employee who''d already resigned and taken her own designs, dragged her back into the office, and then let her use our new staff member during a meeting? And on top of that, you treat a baseless giarism usation like it''s no big deal?"


    Hawthorne finally closed the folder in his hands and looked up at Yvette. There was a darkness in his eyes she had never seen before.


    She was used to his sharpness, his decisiveness. She''d always thought of his personality as cold and forceful-never one for pleasantries or emotional disys. Even with her, he''d never made exceptions, holding everyone in thepany to the same strict standards.


    Yvette hadn''t started out as a senior manager. It was Hawthorne''s relentless pressure and high expectations that had shaped her into who she was now.


    She could stand on her own now, and she''d always believed Hawthorne respected women like her-why else would he have spent so much effort mentoring her?


    But today, for the first time, she saw Hawthorne lose his temper to defend a young


    woman.


    Since the day she''d met him, she''d never seen him show such emotion over anyone. Gwh was the only exception.


    That''s why Yvette needed to know why.


    She didn''t want Hawthorne to simply point out her mistakes-she wanted to know,pared to this inexperienced girl, what was shecking?


    "Mr. Everhart was very clear-thepany doesn''t tolerate nepotism. Then why does Gwh get special treatment? Or do your words mean nothing after all?"


    Yvette could hardly keep herself together.


    Hawthorne regarded her coldly.


    "My decisions are my own responsibility. Gwh isn''t under your supervision, and you don''t need to concern yourself with her. Focus on your own work. I expect this not to happen again."


    He''d drawn a clear line in the sand-Yvette was forbidden from interfering with Gwh.


    "Mr. Everhart, I''m not feeling well. I''d like to take three days off."


    She said it out of pure defiance—she wanted to see if thepany could still function without her for three days.


    "Are you sure?"


    Hawthorne''s tone stayed even, his expression unchanged. Yvette had at least expected a word of concern.


    She held her breath, her pride refusing to let her back down after being scolded like that.


    "Yes."


    "Alright," Hawthorne said simply. "Take three days. Get some rest."


    Yvette was left speechless.


    I.ne


    She stared at him as he immediately turned his attention back to his work, making it clear he had


    more to say. With a toss of


    her hair, she stormed out.


    The secretary, who had been watching the office door nervously, quickly


    pretended to be busy as Yvette passed.


    After work, Gwh joined the game development team for dinner at a trendy fusion restaurant.


    She''d worked at a fewpanies


    since moving to Greenvale, and she


    had to admit, while Hawthorne''s


    vel


    politics and messy drama, something about the ce felt different. The people were warmer, more genuine.


    Maybe Hawthorne''s favoritism had made others quick to adapt, but her supervisor genuinely seemed to appreciate her work.


    "Gwyn, a drink?" Her supervisor came over and filled her ss before she could refuse.


    Other than Gwh, there were three other women in the department; all about her age. Each of them had a small ss of wine in hand it seemed to be a tradition. No one pressured anyone else to drink; everyone just sipped quietly.


    "Don''t worry, Hans ising to pick you upter, right? Trust us, none of us would


    dare try to get you drunk-not even if you paid us."