Chapter 4 - The First Strike"Excuse me?"
Maya remained composed.
"I'd be happy to assist you with the vehicle. But I won't pick up something you intentionally dropped to humiliate me."
The words landed harder than any insult.
Eleanor's face reddened.
People had spent years telling her yes.
Employees.
Business partners.
Friends.
Even family.
Nobody told Eleanor Vance no.
Her hand moved before anyone could react.
CRACK.
The slap echoed through the showroom.
Maya's head turned slightly from the impact.
Julian froze.
One employee covered her mouth.
Another reached instinctively for his phone.
For several seconds, Maya stood perfectly still.
She could feel the sting spreading across her cheek.
But beneath the pain was something colder.
Not anger.
Decision.
May you like
Slowly, she turned back toward Eleanor.
And Eleanor suddenly realized she had made a terrible mistake.
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