Suddenly self-conscious, Erica hid the box behind her.

“Ah, I'm sorry.

I just want to ask you if you were scared," she said quickly.

"No, thank you for your concern. I'm fine." Paige was still smiling, but the smile was as brittle as glass.

She knew that the young woman in front of her had no malice, but that didn't make the box of snakes any less creepy.

Erica's face brightened, and she displayed the box again.

"Oh, that's good! In fact, these snakes are all nontoxic; they're not dangerous at all. Anyway, don't be afraid. I'll have them released now."

“Okay, okay..." Paige wanted very much to cry. Why did this crazy woman have to show them the box again?

Off to the side, Matthew stood watching the scene. Despite the pain in his skull and the spectacle Erica had caused, he was impressed with her. In fact, he was ready to admit that she was quite brave; all women were scared witless by snakes, but his wife could catch them with her bare hands.

Presently, the elevator doors opened again, admitting a security guard who trotted up to them.

"Matthew, Erica!" he said respectfully.

"I'm

Raymond Voventry from the logistics department. What can I do for you?"

Matthew indicated the box.

"I'd like you to take these snakes and release them. They don't belong in the office."

Raymond nodded.

"Yes. Please Leave it to me."

Erica hesitated, feeling a bit reluctant to hand over the box. Finally she said, “Listen, I bought one of these snakes at the pet market, so you'd better return it there. If you set it free out in nature, it won't Last long. But the red one and the green one, those were caught in the Great Mountain. You can leave them there."

The snake that Erica had put on Phoebe's bed was indeed from the pet market. It had been nontoxic and its fangs had been treated, so she had known it was harmless. The worst it could do was scare somebody.

"Yes, Erica!" Raymond took the box from Erica, turned, and left the floor where the CEO's office was located.

Seeing this, the female assistants finally breathed a sigh of relief and returned to their desks. Maybe they could get some work done before their shifts ended.

Before entering his office, Matthew instructed Paige, “Paige, I need a change of clothes for my wife."

"Yes, Matthew."

When she heard this, Erica grinned broadly at Paige.

"Thank you so much!" she said enthusiastically.