Eleanor turned and shot her a cold look. "If you have something to say, say it."


    "I''m getting sacked because you poisonedn''s mind against me, didn''t you? Eleanor, you''re such a despicable schemer. Abusing your ex-husband''s power to bully employees at Goodwin & Co. You must be so proud of yourself, right?" Faye''s voice grew shrill, her face contorted with long-held hatred for Eleanor.


    "Faye, watch your words," Eleanor said coldly. "If you have aint, you can file a grievance through the proper channels."


    "What''s the point? This wholepany belongs to your ex-husband,n. If he wants to fire me, he can use any excuse he wants," Faye said, her eyes filled with pain and animosity. "Eleanor, stop pretending. Everyone knows you''re sucking up ton again, trying to use your daughter to w your way back up, right? What, you want to settle a personal score? I''m already out of your way, but you still won''t let me go? You still have to kick me out?"


    Faye''s voice rose, and since the coffee shop was filled withb employees, all eyes were now on Eleanor.


    Seeing how nasty Faye was being, Gwenda tried to intervene. "Faye, Eleanor isn''t that kind of person."


    "Gwenda, you don''t get a say here. The only reason you''ve gotten this far is by fawning over her like a littlepdog!"


    Faye''s words grew increasingly harsh and ugly.


    Eleanor''s eyes hardened. "Faye, have you said enough?"


    Faye sneered. "Eleanor, don''t get too smug. Do you really thinkn going back to an old me means he''s had a change of heart? A man like him is never short on women. He''s only giving you the time of day because of your daughter-"


    Seeing Faye''s words be more vicious, Gwenda grew angry. "Faye, shut your mouth!"


    But Faye took step after step toward Eleanor. She was wearing a long-sleeved shirt, and now, she clenched her fists, her eyes turning venomous.


    "Eleanor, you think I''m afraid of you? You think I have nowhere to go after leaving Goodwin & Co.? Let me tell you, I, Faye, have never been any worse than you. You can''t break me."


    As Faye closed in on Eleanor, a gleaming stainless steel fork suddenly slid out from her right sleeve.


    Gwenda and Eleanor saw it at the same time, but Faye had already raised it and lunged toward Eleanor''s chest, screaming, "Then you can just die!"


    "Eleanor!" At that critical moment, a figure rushed forward, shielding Eleanor. The impact sent Eleanor stumbling back, where she was caught by Gwenda.


    The sound of the sharp object piercing flesh reached Eleanor''s ears.


    Faye''s crazed expression turned to one of utter shock. She stared in disbelief at the person she had stabbed.


    The fork was lodged firmly in Joel''s left shoulder. Blood quickly soaked through his light gray shirt, spreading into an rming patch of red.


    "Joel!" Eleanor cried out, rushing to support him. When she saw the extent of his injury, she quickly pulled out her phone and dialed 911.


    Faye stumbled backward, covering her face as tears streamed down. "I-I didn''t mean to, Joel—I—" She spoke incoherently, her body trembling as she tried to approach him.


    Gwenda shoved her away. "You still want to hurt someone?!"


    Gwenda''s push sent Faye copsing to the floor.


    The coffee shop descended into chaos. Someone was on the phone, others rushed to help support Joel, and two male colleagues stood protectively near Faye to prevent, another attack.


    Eleanor''s full attention was on Joel. "Joel, how are you? Hold on, the ambnce will be here any second."


    of cold sweat forming on his


    Joel leaned against Eleanor,


    forehead. He gritted his teeth


    against the intense pain and tried to reassure her. "I''m fine. I can handle


    it."  swhovels


    In that moment, he was just d he had arrived in time. If he had been a second


    "As long as you''re okay," Joel managed a pained smile.


    .y


    Eleanor''s tears immediately welled up. If it hadn''t been for Joel, she would have been the one stabbed. This act of selfless protection fef her feeling both grateful and overwhelmed with guilt.