CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY FOUR - The Betrayal No One Saw Coming

The rumors spread like wildfire, fueled by the natural human tendency to gossip and speculate. Soon, the corridors of Maine Enterprises were buzzing with whispered conversations and sidelong glances. Deonna first noticed the change when she walked into the break room one morning. The animated chatter suddenly died down as she entered, replaced by an uncomfortable silence. She could feel eyes on her back as she poured her coffee, the weight of unspoken judgments heavy in the air. As she turned to leave, she caught snippets of hushed conversation. "...always in Logan's office..." "...wonder how she really got that promotion..." "...compromising the whole company..." Deonna's cheeks burned as she hurried back to her office, her mind reeling. What was going on? Later that day, Logan found Deonna in her office, her face etched with worry. "Hey," he said softly, closing the door behind him. "What's wrong? You've been quiet all day." Deonna looked up at him, her eyes filled with unce