Eve was delighted. "With your silver tongue, if I do manage to win Mr. McKinney''s heart and marry him, I''ll make sure you get your shot at stardom. Ashley''s eyes sparkled with excitement. "Really? Eve, you''re an absolute doll!"


    Eve, ustomed to Ashley''s honeyed words, barely registered thepliment. Her gaze sharpened as she spotted Debra entering the house. "You, over there. Come here," shemanded.


    Joe, who had been searching for Debra at Juan''s behest, paused mid-stride as Eve intercepted him. As Juan''s secretary, only Juan and Melody held sway over him. Maintaining a diplomatic tone, he responded, "Good evening, Miss. Is there something I can assist you with?"


    Eve snorted, "Debra is just a lowly manager from the McKinney Group. What makes her worthy of being here? Have someone remove her. She''s sullying the atmosphere.


    Eve''s imperious tone made it clear she mistook Joe for a mere butler. Ashley, ever the opportunist, fanned the mes. "Exactly. This is the Nichols family''s gathering. Debra has humiliated Mr. Nichols before. How dare she show her face here? There must have been a mistake with the invitations."


    Joe''s brow furrowed. "Well, Ms. Frazier is here representing the McKinney Group. If you have any grievances, I suggest you take them up with Mr. Nichols directly."


    Eve scoffed, "Are you incapable of handling such a trivial matter? Must you bother Mr. Nichols with every little thing? Since when does a mere manager represent the McKinney Group? Didn''t Mr. McKinney promise toe himself? What is she doing here?"


    Themotion drew the attention of nearby guests. Whispers began to circte, eyes darting between Eve and the unfolding spectacle. No one had ever dared to publicly disrespect Joe in such a manner.


    Ashley, sensing the shifting atmosphere, nudged Eve. "People are staring."


    Eve nced around, finally noticing the strange looks directed her way. "Why are you just standing there, butler? Remove her at once!" she hissed.


    At home, she was domineering and would make the butler handle all the troubles, soAll text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


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    she naturally thought the Nichols family''s butler should do the same.


    She didn''t know that Joe was Juan''s secretary.


    Debra''s voice cut through the tension. "Joe,e here."


    Eve and Ashley exchanged horrified nces, the color draining from their faces.


    ''Joe? Juan''s secretary, Joe?"


    Realization dawned on Eve, her stomach twisting into knots as sheprehended the magnitude of her blunder.


    Joe walked over to Debra and said politely, "Mr. Nichols wants to see you."


    "Okay." Debra cast a dismissive nce at Eve, who stood rooted to the spot. "Miss Cameron seems a bit overwrought. Perhaps you should have your staff help herpose herself."