Maeve pressed down on Sandy''s arm, until Sandy screamed, holding her in ce.


    ''Next time, take a different path." Maeve said coolly.


    Sandy nearly fainted from the pain, sinking to her knees, speechless. Maeve''s words lingered over her like a shadow, crushing any thoughts of revenge.


    Others who''d gossiped like Sandy felt a new wariness around Maeve, wondering if they''d be next. But some admired Maeve''s resolve. A few who already liked her now felt a stronger respect. After all, who wouldn''t be impressed by someone with such talent, elegance, and courage?


    Maeve had expected her assertiveness would make others keep their distance, but to her surprise, more people began approaching her. She sensed a newfound respect from her peers, and the morning passed without incident. During lunch, Arthur called Maeve aside, concerned about the incident.


    Unlike Maeve, department heads like Arthur had to manage both their teams and pass evaluations from upper management. If they didn''t meet expectations, they could be demoted.


    Arthur wanted to fire Sandy. Thepetition within Trazir was intense, and they could afford to lose someone like Sandy. If she got fired, no other fashionpany would take her in. Arthur practically wore his support for Maeve on his sleeve, but Maeve felt a bit ufortable. She appreciated his good intentions but sensed something felt off. "Thanks, Mr. Arthur, but it''s settled. There''s no need for further action," Maeve said.


    Unless Sandy decided to start more trouble, Maeve was ready to move on. But if Arthur intervened, it might look like Sandy''s usations had some merit.


    Arthur nodded, smiling. "If you''re sure, Ms. Reese. I''ll handle any other disciplinary issues to prevent this from happening again."


    A sharp voice interrupted them. "Arthur t''Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    going on?"


    Maeve turned and recognized the voice. It was Fiora, storming over, eyes zing. Maeve hadn''t expected her to be here.


    Fiora''s anger red when she saw Maeve. She stepped between them, creating distance. "You again? Weren''t you already sent back to wherever you came from? Why are you back?" "Princess Fiora," Maeve replied calmly, "this has nothing to do with you."


    Fiora''s expression twisted. "Oh? Couldn''t catch my brother, so now you''re after my fiancé?" Fiora sneered. "Are you that jealous of me?"


    Maeve held her ground. "You''re mistaken. Loren and I are just friends. I''m not interested in your fiancé."


    Fiora scoffed, lifting her chin with contempt. "I know your type! I''ve seen plenty of women wing their way up from nothing. I just haven''t bothered to put you in your ce until now. Stay away from Arthur, or you''ll regret it!" Maeve''s face hardened. She couldn''t understand how someone as polite as Loren could be rted to this woman. They barely seemed like siblings at all.


    Arthur held back Fiora and said, "Fiora, I''ve always thought of you as a sister, nothing more. We aren''t engaged, so stop spreading lies. Ms. Reese and I are strictly professional. Apologize to her. This behavior isn''t fitting for a princess." 1/2 Chapter 432


    Fiora looked hurt. "Arthur, you''re choosing her over me? After everything?"


    "I''m not taking sides. You''re out of line," Arthur replied firmly. "This attitude isn''t you. When did you start acting like this?"


    Fiora flushed, hurt by the words of her crush. She turned her anger on Maeve, ring as if she wanted to strike her.


    "What are you still looking at?" Fiora hissed. "Get out! You lowlymoner, go back where you came.from. Stop reaching for what you''ll never have!"


    Fiora seethed with anger toward Maeve. If Arthur weren''t here, Flora would have torn Maeve apart.


    ''First, this woman steals away Loren, and now she''s after my man too!'' Fiora fumed inwardly. Fiora couldn''t understand why these lowlymoners from the poorest corners were so shameless. They didn''t even know their ce!'' Maeve''s expression turned icy. "It''s incredible you''re a princess. If you''re what royalty is, that''s the world''s biggest joke."


    With that, she turned to leave.


    Fiora shouted after her, voice filled with fury. "You''ll never be more than amoner! Even if you had a lifetime, you couldn''te close to me. You''re fit only to grovel, yet you dare dream of taking what''s mine!"


    Arthur, visibly upset, quickly pulled Fiora away, hoping to end the scene. As he led her out, he banned Fiora from evering to the office again. Fiora, sitting in her car with anger simmering, was determined no one would take her ce in Arthur''s life. Maeve had tried to exin things to Fiora but Fiora refused to see reason. Over the next few days, Maeve kept an eye out for Fiora but was relieved when Fiora didn''t reappear.


    Sandy, on the other hand, seemed different after their confrontation, even offering Maeve a drink as a quiet peace gesture before slipping away.


    Later that day, Maeve waited outside Trazir headquarters for Byron to pick her up as usual. Suddenly, a ck car screeched to a stop beside her. Before she could react, a group of men grabbed her, covering her mouth and dragging her into the car/ Maeve''s heart raced with fear. She struggled, but her cries were muffled, and her phone slipped from her pocket, falling to the pavement as the car door mmed shut and left.