Jaylynn’s hand halted midair, her heart skipping a beat. She spun around, her complexion draining to a ghostly pallor as she spotted Brinley framed in the doorway.

Hastily withdrawing her hand, Jaylynn plastered on a strained smile. “Mrs. Moore? W-what brings you back so soon?”

The other secretaries clustered around Corbin averted their gazes, heads bowed in unease. Brinley’s unexpected return had clearly caught them off guard.

Corbin’s eyes found Brinley like a lifeline, and he murmured, “Mrs. Moore…”

Brinley’s piercing stare bypassed Corbin, sweeping over the gathered secretaries before locking onto Jaylynn with unnerving intensity.

Her voice, calm yet laced with steel, cut through the tension. “Ms. Craig, pray tell, who granted you the authority to lay hands on a colleague within these walls?”

Jaylynn’s knees nearly buckled. Her voice trembled as she stammered, “Mrs. Moore, it’s a misunderstanding, truly! I was merely steadying Corbin—he seemed unsteady on his feet. I meant no harm…”

“Steadying him?” Brinley’s scoff was sharp as she approached Corbin, her steps measured. Her eyes flicked to the faint redness on his arm—a clear mark of force.

She rested a gentle hand on Corbin’s shoulder, her tone softening. “You’re safe now, Corbin. No need to fear.”

Corbin bit his lip and nodded, his resolve wavering under her quiet strength.

Brinley’s gaze returned to Jaylynn, her voice now honed into a blade. “This morning, Corbin finalized and circulated the meeting room policy to all departments. It explicitly states that using public equipment after working hours requires only a simple registration at the front desk. Corbin followed protocol and confirmed the room’s availability. So which rule did he break?”

Jaylynn’s mouth opened, but words failed her. She hadn’t even glanced at the updated policy—she had simply seized the chance to intimidate the newcomer.

“Speechless?” Brinley pressed, her voice unrelenting. “Or do you believe the rules exist merely to torment your colleagues, a tool to lord your tenure over those new to our ranks?”

Her voice remained soft, yet it carried a weight that left the room breathless—each word a quiet rebuke.

One secretary ventured timidly, “Mrs. Moore, we were only joking with Corbin…”

Brinley’s eyes snapped to her, sharp as winter frost. “Is it Shaw Group’s secretarial standard to mock a colleague’s dignity and dismiss their work as a jest?”

She paused, her gaze turning colder, her words slicing through the air. “Let me remind you who now leads Shaw Group. My stewardship is meant to purify this company’s culture, not to foster cliques and petty power plays. The merger of VantagePath Realty into Shaw Group was my decision. Every person under my leadership is a valued member of this team. To harm one of them is to disrespect me.”

Her eyes pinned Jaylynn, whose face had drained of all color. “Ms. Craig, I heard you say you’re the one who sets the rules here.”

Jaylynn trembled, shaking her head frantically. “No, Mrs. Moore—”

“Enough,” Brinley cut in, her tone icy as a winter gale. “You’re no longer suited to lead as head secretary. Report to HR tomorrow to tender your resignation.”

“What?” Jaylynn’s face crumpled, her voice turning desperate. “Mrs. Moore, please! I’ve given Shaw Group ten years—”

“Ten years?” Brinley’s smile held no warmth. “That’s precisely why you’ve grown complacent and forgotten your duties. Shaw Group has no room for those who throw their weight around and bully their colleagues.”

Her gaze swept over the other secretaries, their heads bowed beneath the weight of her scrutiny. “The rest of you will submit an apology letter to my desk by tomorrow. If I catch wind of further schemes or harassment, company policy will be enforced without mercy. Am I clear?”

“Yes, Mrs. Moore,” the secretaries murmured, their voices barely audible, fear stealing their breath.

Satisfied, Brinley turned to Corbin, her tone softening once more. “Have you finished verifying the documents?”

Corbin nodded quickly. “Nearly done—just a few pages left.”

“Good,” Brinley replied warmly. “Gather your things. I’ll drive you home.”

“There’s no need, Mrs. Moore. I can manage—”

Brinley interjected gently, a faint smile curving her lips. “We’ve got plans to discuss for the days ahead. Let’s talk on the way.”

Corbin’s heart swelled with gratitude as he gave a resolute nod, swiftly gathering the files scattered across his desk.

Jaylynn parted her lips, desperate to speak, but Brinley’s glacial stare froze the words in her throat.

She could only stand there, powerless, as Brinley and Corbin departed.

Her legs buckled, and she sank into a chair, her eyes clouded with desolation.

The other secretaries, their earlier bravado evaporated, kept their gazes fixed on the floor.

They now understood the new CEO was not only formidable, but carried a sharpness and authority far beyond their expectations.

In the elevator, Corbin’s head hung low, his voice barely above a whisper. “Mrs. Moore, I’m sorry for inconveniencing you.”

Brinley glanced at his reddened eyes and let out a soft sigh. “You’ve done nothing wrong, Corbin. They crossed the line.”

She paused, her expression turning earnest. “Here at Shaw Group, you’re under my wing. You don’t need to fear anyone. As long as you’re doing your job, I won’t let anyone blame you without cause.”

Corbin raised his eyes to meet Brinley’s steady gaze. He nodded fervently, his voice firm with newfound resolve. “Thank you, Mrs. Moore!”

The elevator doors glided open with a soft chime. Brinley gave his shoulder a reassuring pat. “Come on. Let’s get you home.”

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