Byron was beginning to regret agreeing so quickly to let Faye take over. If only he''d insisted on Eleanor going on stage that Monday, none of this mess would have happened.


    The morning meeting began, and Faye waited anxiously for Byron to announce the final decision about her presentation.


    But Byron only addressed a few routine matters before wrapping up the meeting. As everyone began to stand, he nced at Faye. "Faye, could youe by my office for a moment?"


    Faye was caught off guard, but hope fluttered in her chest. She gathered her carefully printed speech and hurried to Byron''s office.


    "Vice President Chase, is there something you wanted to discuss with me privately?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.


    Byron sighed. “Faye, here''s the situation. After a discussion among upper management, it''s been decided that Eleanor will still be the one presenting the Al Biotech segment. You''ll be the backup."


    The color drained from Faye''s face. Her grip tightened on the stack of papers, knuckles turning white.


    "What? That''s not fair!" she protested, struggling to keep herposure. "I''ve already prepared everything. I stayed up for nights getting this ready!"


    "It''s a decision from above," Byron said, helpless. "We do believe you''re very talented, Faye."


    "Who made that call? Did Mr. Goodwin sign off on this?" she demanded, biting her lip, eyes brimming with tears.


    Byron hesitated, then answered bluntly. "This was Mr. Goodwin''s decision."


    Faye stared at him in disbelief. The tears she''d been holding back finally spilled over.n? This wasn''s idea?


    Was this Eleanor''s twisted way of humiliating her?


    Eleanor had pretended to hand over the opportunity, but behind the scenes, she''d gone ton-her ex-husband-and asked for the speaking slot back? Was this all just a game to her? All those nights working on her speech, wasted?


    "Faye, this is a majorpanyunch. I hope you''ll understand the decision from senior management," Byron added gently.


    Faye didn''t respond. Instead, she turned on her heel and marched out of the office, barely holding herself together. She made a beeline to the restroom, scrubbing away her tears, then ducked into a stall to steady her breathing.


    But no matter how many deep breaths she took, the anger in her gut wouldn''t subside. Eleanor was toying with her, in and simple.


    Thanks to her credentials-and her status asn''s ex-wife-Eleanor treated her like some kind of joke. Faye clenched her fists. She would remember this.


    Ten minutester, Faye stormed into Eleanor''s office, mming the door so hard it rattled the ss.


    Eleanor startled, ncing up from herptop with a frown, before returning to her email.


    "Eleanor!" Faye snapped, her voice shaking with fury. "Is this some kind of joke to you?"


    Eleanor looked at her calmly. "What are you talking about?"


    "Don''t y dumb!" Faye shot back. "You publicly handed me the chance, then went behind my back and begged Mr. Goodwin to take it away. If that''s not messing with me, what is?"


    Eleanor''s frown deepened. "I didn''t do that."


    "Stop pretending! If you didn''t, then why did Mr. Goodwin specifically ask for you to go on stage?" Faye''s hands were balled into fists at her sides.


    Eleanor faltered at that, caught off guard. Ian had asked for her to present? She met Faye''s gaze, her tone even. "Trust me, I have no interest in fighting you for this."


    Ifn wanted her on stage, well then he could beg her for it himself.