Chapter 685

Maeve couldn't help but nod as she gazed at the ring she thought was lost forever. Zion gently ruffled her hair. "I'll take you back to Mirage Group today." "Okay." For the past few days, Zayla had been managing Mirage Group on her own. Maeve wondered how things had been going without her. It couldn't have been easy for Zayla. Halfway there, Maeve turned on her phone. Back in Yewridge, she'd already given Bailey her new number. Sure enough, the moment she powered up, a text Bailey sent last night appeared. By now, Conner had drained most of Jefferson Group's funds. The company had shut down operations, and if they couldn't get back on track within three days, all of the Jefferson family's partnerships would have been in jeopardy. And that wasn't the worst of it. The rumors that circulated outside would have damaged Jefferson Group's reputation, sent the stock plummeting, and left the company on the brink of bankruptcy as every major partner backed out. Maeve lifted a faint smile. It looked like they were winning. She then asked Zion to wait for her in the parking garage to avoid raising suspicion within Mirage Group. As soon as Maeve stepped inside the building, she felt the weight of countless eyes on her, all filled with disdain and scorn. She frowned slightly at the hostile stares. When she tried to head to the employee elevator as usual, a security guard rushed over and blocked her path. "I'm sorry, but non-employees aren't allowed beyond this point." "Are you blind? Don't you know who I am?" Maeve's voice was cold, but the guard remained unfazed. "I know who you are— the former general manager. But since you've resigned, you're not allowed in the employee area anymore." Maeve laughed, "Who told you I resigned?" "Ms. Scott—oh, sorry, Maeve—you've been dismissed. I think it's best if you leave now. Sticking around will only embarrass you." "Yeah," a passing female employee sneered, "Some washed-up heiress who only knows how to scheme should just go home and serve her husband." A few female employees rolled their eyes as they passed. In the workplace, it's normal for people to suck up to their superiors and look down on others, but Maeve never thought her own employees would turn on her like this. Before she could process what was happening, Zayla rushed over as soon as she saw the commotion. "Ms. Scott!" There was something off in Zayla's expression, and Maeve knew right away that something was wrong with the company. Her frown deepened. "I want an explanation." She had only been gone for a few days—how could things in Mirage Group have fallen apart so quickly? Zayla opened her mouth to speak but hesitated when she noticed the crowd around them. "What are you all staring at? Don't you guys have work to do? "Ms. Scott is here to meet with Mr. Davenport! If I catch any of you gossiping during work again, you'll be out of here!" The employees were intimidated by Zayla and quickly dispersed. Zayla stepped aside to clear the way. "Ms. Scott, right this way." As Maeve approached the employee elevators, she noticed a new card scanner installed at the entrance. It required a swipe to enter. Seeing her pause, Zayla quickly swiped her card to open the gate. "Ms. Scott, after you."