Fired for a Cigarette_ The Cost of Loving Her

Andy Gerrin has spent ten years building the Brooks Group alongside his fiancée, Valeria Brooks. After leading his team through a twenty-four-hour push to secure the DeWalt project, he steps into the stairwell for a cigarette while waiting to sign the contract. By morning he is fired, reported by Valeria's new assistant, Brian Sanders, for breaking the company's no-smoking rule. Valeria refuses to hear his side, credits Brian with the project, and orders Andy to apologize.

When Andy sees Valeria massaging Brian in the office, he tears off his badge and calls the competitor, Lucy Russell, offering to bring the DeWalt project with him. Lucy, who has long wanted him, accepts at once. He returns home to find the locks changed and two shadows entwined behind the bedroom curtains, and he has the smart lock sealed remotely.

Valeria's furious calls and a hospital summons follow, but the man in the bed is Brian, with Valeria feeding him soup. As Andy turns to leave, she grabs his arm.