He fixed her with a look that was both assertive and protective.

"And you shouldn't be fetching coffee for anyone. You're with me; they can take care of their own needs."

His words were steeped in confidence, almost to the point of arrogance.

A smile touched Lilah's lips, partly charmed, partly in awe. “Got it," she said with a nod.

Over the weekend, she practically lived in his office, soaking up information. Gerard had a knack for clarity, which made her feel like she was learning at Light speed.

But then Monday rolled around.

Lilah was punctual as ever, yet she found her path barred by a familiar figure at the entrance.

“Did you orchestrate my dismissal?"

Red-eyed and visibly shaken, Carolyn Hilton's question rang out, drawing the eyes of passersby. She was the woman who ridiculed Lilah in the elevator the other day.

Lilah, maintaining her composure and a position of superiority, confirmed, "I did."

Outrage flickered across Carolyn's face. "On what grounds? All for a few words in an elevator? Is the CEO so thin-skinned that a little criticism is unbearable? I've stuck by this company since I left college, stayed loyal even when paychecks were delayed."

Her emotional plea garnered the crowd's empathy. They whispered, and the air thickened with judgment; Carolyn's misstep, though real, seemed too slight for such a drastic consequence.

Was Lilah's decision too severe, too impulsive?

Doubtful glances were thrown her way, filled with silent accusation.

Howard, unnoticed in the crowd, couldn't help but smirk. Lilah had played right into his hands. Dismissing someone for a mere slip of the tongue was all the ammunition he needed to paint her as capricious and unjust.

The shifting eyes of the crowd painted the scene; whispers floated through the air like leaves in the wind. Howard found his moment amid the rustling. He stepped forward, the picture of concern. “Miss Phillips," he began with a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of the world, "I get that you're not thrilled with the doubt hovering around you, but we're all here for the company. It's been rough, and all we want is to see things get better. Carolyn's just starting out-do you really need to make a scene over this?"

He looked around, his expression the very model of corporate empathy.

But beneath that mask, Howard played a game of chess, positioning himself as the king of hearts in any outcome. Lilah's next move would label her either cold or weak, while he would emerge smelling of roses.

Lilah let the silence hang for a moment before replying, "You're off base if you think that's the only reason she's being let go."

Carolyn, caught in the crossfire, fixed her eyes on Lilah. "I've been nothing but professional. If there were issues, the company would've fired me long before you got here."

"It's not about your job performance," Lilah said, her voice even, her gaze piercing like a frost in autumn, “but your choices outside of work are concerning.”

The bar. The late nights. Carolyn's heart skipped. They knew?

“My personal life is none of the company's business. I do my job well-that should be enough."

Howard chimed in, disbelief coloring his tone, “Right, what they do after hours isn't our business. Miss Phillips, are you expecting round-the-clock devotion? That's archaic!"