PERSEVERANCE

PERSEVERANCE - 11

It was just after lunch when Madison found Steve alone in the copy room, his expression hard as he adjusted the settings on the machine. The hum of office chatter filtered in from outside, and she stepped closer, waiting until his gaze flicked up to meet hers.

"Steve, we need to talk," she said quietly, her tone implying secrecy.

Steve gave her an unyielding look, letting her discomfort linger. He'd noticed her watching him closely over the past few weeks and knew she wasn't one to approach someone without a calculated reason. "What about?"

Madison leaned in, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Emily. She's been running things unchecked for too long, and it's clear she's only used your talent when it's convenient for her. Does that really not bother you?"

Steve's expression didn't change, which Madison took as an opportunity to push. "Look, Steve, I'll be blunt. You deserve more than being Emily's afterthought. You and I? We could take control of this office, but only if you're willing to act."

Steve watched her carefully, his tone steady. "And how exactly do you think we could 'take control'?"

Madison's eyes flashed with something almost calculating. "Emily's lost her grip. People are starting to question her decisions. If we nudge things in the right direction—spread some doubt, create a little conflict—she'll lose everything she's holding on to. And I'll be there to step up. With you by my side."

He raised an eyebrow, feigning intrigue. In reality, he saw her manipulation for what it was, but he let her misread his silence. "And what do you get out of it?"

"Power. The kind of influence Emily's never appreciated," Madison replied, reaching out briefly to touch his arm. "I'll make sure you're rewarded for your help, but you have to make a move before it's too late."

Steve kept his expression neutral, allowing her to interpret his silence as consent. "I'll think about it. But I don't take orders from you."

Madison's smile spread slowly, mistaking his apathy for trust. "Then I'll let you take the lead. But don't wait too long, Steve. An opportunity like this doesn't come around often."

As Madison walked away, Steve's gaze lingered thoughtfully. She thought she was pulling him into her plot, but Steve saw it as an opening—a way to uncover her motives and flip her plans to his advantage.

In the following days, Madison continued to meet with Steve, setting her plans into motion. Her voice was a conspiratorial whisper every time they spoke, laying out each step of her plan as though it were a game of chess.

"This is how we'll do it," she said one day as they stood by the water cooler. Her voice was barely above a murmur. "Emily's been erratic lately—firing people for small mistakes, acting unhinged. If we just give people a little nudge, they'll start to question her judgment."

Steve leaned back against the wall, observing her with an expression of casual interest. "And what exactly do you expect me to do about it?"

"Simple," Madison smirked. "Play to her insecurities. Make her second-guess herself, spread doubts, maybe even provoke her into snapping in front of the team. Once they see she's not as strong as she appears, they'll start doubting her authority."

Steve gave a slight nod, keeping his expression neutral. Madison, seeing his seeming compliance, continued with more fervor, explaining how he could make subtle remarks to trigger Emily's self-doubt, and her confidence grew with each suggestion.

But Steve's mind was elsewhere. Her ambition was more extreme than he'd anticipated, and while Madison believed she had him under her control, he was planning his own move.