Andrew Lane's eyes grew a shade darker.

Sadie cleared her throat a couple of times. “Mr. Lane, is there something you needed?"

Andrew didn't answer. He just lifted his hand.

Sadie turned to look and spotted a woman in a sharp business suit, her hair pulled into a high ponytail, walking over with a file for Andrew.

Sadie blinked, thrown off for a second.

Where did she come from? Had she been here the whole time?

The woman handed the file to Andrew, then caught Sadie staring. She smiled

warmly. "Hi, I'm Mr. Lane's assistant. Beatty."

Mr. Lane's assistant... right.

Sadie managed a polite smile. "Nice to meet you. I'm—"

Beatty cut her off with another friendly smile. “I know who you are. You're Sadie, Ms. Blair's assistant, right? I've seen you around."

Beatty turned back to Andrew. "Mr. Lane, do you need me to go with you later?”

Andrew shook his head. "No, you can head home now."

"Alright," Beatty replied, looking at ease.

Andrew didn't say anything else about their earlier conversation. He just left, quick and quiet.

Sadie and her friend watched him go. They both let out a slow, relieved breath.

But before Sadie could fully exhale, Beatty spoke up, her tone soft and curious. "Sadie, was what you said earlier true?"

Sadie's relief vanished. Her heart jumped up into her throat.

"You... you heard all that?"

Beatty smiled lightly, one eyebrow lifted. "Yeah, I did. So I'm kind of curious.”

Sadie's breath caught. “You heard everything? From when?"

Beatty nodded, her expression amused. "Pretty much all of it. I even heard you say Ms. Blair can't stand Mr. Lane..."

Sadie's vision blurred for a second. She and her friend exchanged a look of pure panic.

out

Sadie rushed forward and took Beatty's hand, almost begging. "Look, you and I, we're both just working here. We have to look for each other, right? Everyone complains about their boss O sometimes. You get it, don't you?"

Beatty considered this and nodded thoughtfully.

"So, could you please not mention any of this to your boss?" Sadie pleaded. "Honestly, I'm scared he'll have me... taken out or something."

Beatty laughed. "Come on, Mr. Lane isn't that scary. He's a decent guy."

Sadie squeezed her hand tighter, growing desperate. "Okay, 'taken out' is dramatic. I just mean, what if hez makes things really hard for me? With his power, he could ruin my career in a snap. If he's madam done for." Content Belongs

She lowered her voice, almost whispering. "How about this, I'll owe you big time. Just please, don't tell Mr. Lane what I said. Please?"

Beatty listened, then finally nodded. "Alright."

Sadie nearly sagged with relief. “Thank you, thank you so much..."

But the relief lasted only a split second before Beatty's face turned apologetic. "But... I can't help you there."

Sadie stared at her, confused. "Why not? As long as you don't say anything—" Beatty gently slipped her hand free. “Because Mr. Lane already heard you."

Sadie's mind went blank. "Wait... what?"

Beatty explained, her voice kind. "When I walked over, Mr. Lane was already standing behind you. He definitely heard more than I did. There's nothing I can do to hide it."

Sadie felt like she'd just been struck by lightning. "No way..."

"I'm really sorry. I wish I could help, but I can't,” Beatty said, genuinely apologetic.

Sadie looked helplessly at her friend, then sank into her chair, completely defeated.

Beatty, though, still seemed

interested in all the drama. "So, can

you tell me more about Mr. Lane and

Ms Blair? I'm dying to know! promise, I won't tell Mr. Lane anything."

Sadie just glanced at her, then shook her head, her voice low and tired. "Better not.

I've already said too much. I really need to watch what I say from now on."