Frowning, I stepped forward. "Who do you think you''re talking to? The R&D department serves thepany, not you. Scarlett is the team lead, and with the productunching up, she has to prioritize more urgent matters."


    "And who are you?" Stacey shot me a condescending look.


    "None of your business." I shoved her pointing finger aside. "Now, please leave the R&D department immediately. If you need that data so badly, go ask someone else. Scarlett isn''t the only person in this department."


    Stacey knew she was in the wrong. She shot me a re before turning on her heel and leaving. I turned to Scarlett, feeling a pang of sympathy. "Scarlett, why are you so patient with people like that?"


    I couldn''t help but feel frustrated for her, but she only let out a long sigh. "Just get back to work."


    I frowned, unsure why she was avoiding the issue. If this kept up, the R&D department would be the lowest rung on the corporatedder. After a moment of thought, I took a step closer. "Scarlett, Patricia, let''s grab dinner after work."


    Scarlett instinctively started to decline, but Patricia quickly chimed in, "Are we going to the same restaurant asst time? Should we order something milder this time?"


    Iughed and gave Patricia a light pat. "Scarlett, look at her-she only suggests ordering milder-tasting food when you''re with us."


    Scarlett gave an awkward smile. "Alright. Let''s go after work, then."


    Patricia raised an eyebrow at me, and I winked back.


    "Scarlett never used to go out with anyone," Patricia said smugly. "Serena, don''t I deserve a little appreciation for this?"


    "I''ll order your favorite beef tonight." I blew her a yful kiss.


    ...


    After work, Scarlett still seemed a bit down. I picked up a meatball with my fork and ced it on her te. "Scarlett, try this. It''s one of their specialties. It''s delicious and not spicy."


    She took a bite, then lowered her head. "Serena, thank you for today."


    I waved it off. "You''ve helped me so much since I joined the R&D department. It''s only fair."


    "Scarlett, who was that woman earlier?" Patricia frowned. "You''re the team lead. Why put up with that kind of attitude?"


    "I just think... Sometimes, it''s better to avoid unnecessary trouble." Scarlett


    hesitated, struggling to put her thoughts into words.


    Patricia and I exchanged a look, deciding not to press further.


    After dinner, I offered to drive them both home.


    Patricia agreed immediately, "Sure! I live pretty close to you anyway."


    "Wait, how do you know where I live?" I asked in a surprised tone.


    "I saw Mr. Hastings'' car parked outside yourplex once. At first, I wasn''t sure whose it was. Then, one day, I saw you getting out of it and realized he had given you a ride


    home."


    I was stunned. "And you never mentioned it?"


    "Mr. Hastings is your brother. What''s the big deal about him driving you home?


    Did I need to make an announcement about it?"


    At that moment, I felt an


    overwhelming urge to hug Patricia and cry tears of gratitude. Who would have thought that this woman who usually seemed so


    scatterbrained could be so reliable


    when it counted?


    "I''ll pass." Scarlett waved her hand. "Serena, your car looks new. The roads near


    my ce aren''t great."


    "It''s fine." grabbed her arm and


    pulled her toward the car.


    "Worst case scenario, if we hit a bad patch, you can just get out and walk the rest of the way."