"Tess, what did he say to you?"


    There was a pause on the other end. "He''s not suing me," Tess said, her voice strained. "He''s suing mypany. My boss wants me to resign in exchange for Mr. Rosenberg dropping thewsuit."


    Hannah''s body trembled, her fingers clenching the phone. It was obvious. This was because of what happened with Sandra yesterday. He was ming her for everything. It didn''t matter that she had told him to check the security footage, to prove her innocence. His mind was made up. In his eyes, she was always the one in the wrong.


    "Tess, don''t resign yet. I''ll talk to him again tonight."


    "Hannah, you''ve already done so much for me. Don''t put yourself through this. It''s just a job. I can find another one," Tess said, trying to sound cheerful, but Hannah could hear the heartbreak beneath her words. She knew how much this job meant to her, how hard she had fought for it. She couldn''t let Tess lose it because of someone else''s mistake.


    The train''s automated voice announced the next station. Hannah stepped out with the crowd. "Tess, trust me," she said firmly. "I will handle this. Promise me you won''t quit. Okay?"


    After a long silence, a choked "okay" came from the other end. They exchanged a few more words and hung up.


    Hannah had just arrived at the office when her department head informed her that she would be apanying Yves to an eventter that evening.


    She gathered her things and was waiting in the lobby when Yves stepped out of the elevator. He was on the phone, his face a mask of fury, but by the time he reached her, his usual suave demeanor had returned.


    "You don''t look so good, Ms. Green," Yves said with a wry smile. "Anything I can help with?"


    Surprised, Hannah touched her face. She had tried so hard to hide her turmoil, but he had seen right through her.


    "Just a small problem. I can handle it. Thank you for the offer, Mr. Lancaster," she replied with a professional smile.


    "Of course A woman like you can handle anything," he said,ughing as he led the way out the anger from his phone callpletely gone.


    They had just arrived at the event and were walking toward the elevators when a


    familiar voice called out.


    "Hannah, what a coincidence!"


    Hannah turned to see Lionel and Sandra approaching. Lionel, impably dressed in a tailored sent stared straight ahead his expression cold and aloof, as if he hadn''t even noticed them.


    "Mr. Lancaster, good to see you," Sandra said politely.


    Yves nced at her, then his gaze shifted to Lionel. "So this is the newwyer Mr. Rosenberg hired?"


    Lionel''s dark eyes slowly turned to him. "Yes," he said, his voice t. "She officially started today."


    Hannah''s eyshes fluttered, and she dug her thumb into her index finger.


    Sandra leaned closer to her. "Hannah, Mr. Rosenberg has always wanted you at


    the Rosenberg Group. Can''t you just stop—"


    "Ms. Woods," Yves cut in smo


    "That''s


    eot how you poach an


    employee. But feel free to try. Let''s see if you can


    lift off."


    Just then, the elevator doors opened to an empty car.


    Yves gestured with a flourish, a half-smile on his face. "Mr. Rosenberg, I believe


    we''re attending the same event. After you."