Chapter 59: The Hidden Agendas

A gentle knock sounded on the newly closed door of Mariana's office. Before Mariana could respond, Daphne entered. "Nice to see you admiring your lovely new space," Daphne exclaimed. "I see you've already settled in nicely." Mariana, startled by the unexpected intrusion, quickly pocketed her phone, the social media app still open on the screen. "Oh, you’re back, Daphne. Yes, it's quite lovely," she stammered, a touch of self-consciousness creeping into her voice. Daphne's gaze lingered on Mariana's phone for a fleeting moment before flitting away. "Speaking of lovely, I was thinking I take you for lunch in the company cafeteria? It's a fantastic opportunity to meet your colleagues and get a feel for the Spark Entertainment family atmosphere." Mariana's fingers hovered over the upload button, a flicker of indecision crossing her features. "Lunch sounds wonderful, Daphne." The shrill ring of Mariana's phone cut her short. Glancing at the caller ID, her brow furrowed slightly. "Excus