After her intense conversation with Matthew earlier in the week, Stephanie and Mark traveled to New York City, for both a meet-and-greet and a special live event at one of the world's most famous arenas, Madison Square Garden.

Over the past several months, the World Wrestling Federation, in conjunction with Chaos Comics, had been releasing a series of Undertaker-themed comic books, which had proven quite popular with fans.

In fact, volume three of the series was so successful, that an extra round of printing had already been ordered. To celebrate this fete, Mark was scheduled for an autograph signing on behalf of the publisher, where a special sneak peak of volume four would also be previewed, as well.

On top of being an incredibly busy in-ring performer, a company executive, and having his name and likeness used for publishing endeavors, over the next few weeks, the WWF would also be debuting Mark's custom "Phenom" dragracing car.

And while Stephanie wasn't a huge fan of this herself, all of this only served to showcase just how much of a global juggernaut the World Wrestling Federation had become. The company's mass-market appeal was literally everywhere, so there truly wasn't any turning back for them now.

After the meet-and-greet, Mark competed in a high-profile match inside the Garden against Stone Cold Steve Austin — their very first one-on-one encounter since the May 31st edition of Monday Night Raw — the same night that Shawn Michaels finally showed his true colors to the Rattlesnake.

During the contest, both Austin and Taker gave the raucous, New York City crowd a true, main-event caliber performance. And though he suffered a bloody nose in the bout, the Texas Rattlesnake nearly scored the victory against his nemesis, after delivering a ferocious Stone Cold Stunner!

However, it was Mideon who disrupted the pinfall, which not only saw Austin awarded the victory by disqualification, but as a result for his interference, the European Champion quickly found himself on the receiving end of a vicious Stunner.

Immediately following this event, Stephanie and Mark were once again jet-bound, as they swiftly departed the Big Apple for Greensboro, North Carolina, the site of the 1999 King of the Ring.

Not only was Mark scheduled to defend his WWF Championship against the Rock, but Stone Cold Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels were also scheduled to compete in their highly anticipated rematch from WrestleMania 14 — only this time, in an unforgiving Ladder Match.

Both the WWF Title and the very future of the company literally hung in the balance. And whether she personally liked him or not, Stephanie was obviously rooting for Shawn to somehow defeat the Rattlesnake. Austin simply could no longer run amok as the WWF Commissioner.

And in the same vain, Mark also had to be successful in retaining his championship against the Rock. Neither he or Shawn could afford to lose tonight. Both men had to be victorious… by any means necessary.

After arriving in Greensboro, Mark and Stephanie only had a small window of time for rest. The pay-per-view was only hours away, and there was still a lot of preparation that needed to be done.

While she busied herself preparing for tonight's show with the hair and makeup team, Mark mentally readied himself for his title match against the Rock, in the seclusion of his darkened locker room.

The Phenom also had a brief interview scheduled with Michael Cole later in the evening, as well, so he had to be on his A-game.

Unfortunately, however, as his blackened locker room quickly became his place of solace, he found his time of peace being interrupted, as he suddenly heard a small, light tapping against his locker room door.

Before any large scale match such as the one he was preparing for tonight, both the Ministry and the WWF personnel, had all been instructed to never disturb him, no matter what. And yet, someone had dared to do just that, right before one of the biggest matches of his entire career?

Not even turning in the direction of the tapping, Mark suddenly heard the dressing room door slowly coming ajar, as the person on the other end casually made their way inside.

By her aura alone, along with the clicking of her high heels against the tiled floor, Mark could instantly tell that it was Saphirra who had entered his dressing room. And though he initially had the instinct to literally toss her ass out, Mark also realized that his servant would have never come to him in a time like this, unless it something of post importance…

Or at least that's what he attempted to rationalize to himself. Because if she hadn't…

With his eyes downcast to the floor, his strong arms outstretched against the locker room's cubbies, while his dark hair fell ominously around him, Mark could feel Saphirra's nervousness.

It was emanating throughout the entire room. He then spoke to her, curtly and sternly.

"What is it, Saphirra?"

Gasping aloud, since she was absolutely terrified of her master's reaction, Saphirra took only a small, nervous step forward, as she finally said to him softly, "Master… I needed to speak with you… about something that happened last Monday night…sir."

Hearing that she needed to tell him something that apparently happened an entire six days prior nearly set Mark off. Saphirra had already been warned about keeping secrets from him, and if his last lesson hadn't truly resonate with her, then maybe it was time for Saphirra to leave the Ministry.

He would not stand for insolence.

Livid at being interrupted, Mark, in a sudden, booming voice, asked strongly, "You wait until now to tell me something like this?"

And before she could even answer his question, Mark turned and descended upon Saphirra, faster than she could imagine, pinning her against the wall!

Internally, she wanted to scream, but she knew that she'd be punished.

Her master was just so much bigger and stronger than her that he instantly terrified her into submission. She wanted to tell him why she had waited to come to him, about why she hadn't come to him sooner, but words escaped her.

She was terrified.

Feeling Saphirra's lighter body trembling beneath his, Mark, taking pity on the poor girl, lifted her face slowly back up to his, as he stared down at her in the darkened room. She was too frightened to avert her attention anywhere else, and as his green eyes seemingly pierced right through her, Saphirra understood that now was finally the time to explain herself.

Gathering enough courage to somewhat speak, Saphirra managed softly, "Master… after Monday night… I knew you didn't want to speak about DX; I knew how angry you were. So I waited. And for this Master, your attention wasn't needed. I've handled everything on my own… sir."

Not knowing exactly what she was referring to, since this was the first time in ages that she had mentioned anything about DX, Mark stated darkly, "Go on."

Feeling Saphirra's hands nervously fumbling with the fabric of her attire, Mark watched intently as she then said, "Well, after I spoke with the Posse on behalf of Stephanie, sir… I bumped into… Shawn Michaels… or rather… he bumped into me."

Seeing a slight change in her master's facial features, knowing that she had undoubtedly piqued his interest, Saphirra watched carefully as Mark slowly nodded his head, silently telling her to continue.

She had to get to the point and fast.

"Well, sir, I was in the hall, about to return to my dressing room, when Shawn and Joanie approached me. He wanted to know… he wanted to know if I could help him."

Confused as to what Shawn could have possibly wanted with his servant, Mark continued to listen, as Saphirra began to tell her version of events, from an impromptu meeting with Shawn Michaels, only six days prior.

"Shawn, did you really have to drag me all the way to the other side of the arena?" a frustrated Chyna asked in annoyance.

They were only moments away from Hunter's big match against the Undertaker for the WWF Championship, and Chyna needed to focus. Instead, she was once again preoccupied with yet another scheme that Shawn had apparently cooked up.

"Come on, Chyna," he pleaded comically, as the two of them continued their descent down the hall. "I need to have a female presence for this. You can back me up." Feeling Shawn humorously nudge her in the side, Chyna merely rolled her eyes and huffed, "Whatever. Let's just get this over with."

"See, you gotta relax more," Shawn taunted, as he jumped behind the female enforcer, in an effort to massage her overly-tense shoulders. "Maybe it's time that you took that little vacation that we…"

However, before HBK could finish his sentence, Chyna tapped him on top of his hand and pointed directly at the person that they had been searching for. Watching as Saphirra silently perused over the rest of tonight's format, Shawn once again nudged Chyna in her side, instructing her to, "Come on."

Hearing the sounds of several footsteps walking in her direction, Saphirra casually looked up to see both Shawn and Chyna, two people whom her master most definitely despised at this moment. But, before she could properly ascertain as to why both DX members were looking at her as if she were fresh meat, Saphirra watched Shawn clap his hands together, greeting loudly, "Ryan! Good to see you again!"

Staring back at him incredulously, as both HBK and Chyna began to box her in on either side of her body, Saphirra quickly gathered her wits about herself.

After all, she was a member of the Ministry.

Tossing her hair over her shoulders, Saphirra correctly swiftly, "It's Saphirra, Shawn," which HBK dully took notice of.

She rolled her eyes in annoyance. Still, Shawn and Chyna obviously wanted something… After all, when had they ever been known to pay her a visit?

Folding her arms across her chest, which caused Shawn's attention to focus solely on her breasts in her top, Saphirra, tapping him lightly on his shoulder, asked of him casually, "Is there something that I can help you with?"

Clearing his throat, since he had honestly never gotten a good look at Kenny's little sister before, especially not like this, Shawn was able to somewhat manage, "Well… actually, there is something that you can help me with…"

Scoffing aloud, but not entirely taken aback at his clear, sexual innuendo, Saphirra watched as HBK attempted to explain, "No… it's not what you think. It's just, I was going to ask… do you keep up with anyone from your old developmental territory?"

Knowing that he meant PPW, as she had once been under the tutelage of her former instructor, Randy Hales, Saphirra was surprised that Shawn would even ask her something like this.

While she used to share friendly conversations with a few of her former classmates, since joining the Ministry, Saphirra hadn't really spoken to any of them. That was simply no longer her world.

Still, why would Shawn even care about something like this? After all, they did barely knew each other. In fact, this was their first real conversation that they had ever had.

Tilting her head and eyeing him warily, Saphirra asked suspiciously, "That's a funny question. Why would you care anyway? We barely even know each other."

"Well, since you put it like that, I'm just going to come right out with it," Shawn replied.

Gazing across his shoulders cautiously, making certain that only he, Chyna, and Saphirra were in the hall and not being overheard by someone, Shawn asked in hushed voice, "You know that little stipulation in my match against Austin? No DX, no Ministry?"

Seeing Saphirra nod twice in acknowledgment, Shawn then said, "Well, just like Triple H said: maybe I need to take out a little insurance policy. Something that will ensure that, no matter what happens this Sunday, that I walk out as the WWF Commissioner once again. If you know know what I mean."

"I don't know what you mean," Saphirra answered truthfully.

She had already ruled out that Shawn wasn't going to ask her to interfere on his behalf. The rules were set. But, Saphirra just had the sinking feeling that Shawn was going to ask her for more…

Something much more. She just didn't know what.

"Ok, let me put it to you like this," Shawn started once again. "There's someone down in PPW who I've had my eye on for a long time now. In all honesty, I wish that Jose and I could have gotten him to train down at my school in Texas, because he's the real deal. He's the next big thing.

"In fact, I've heard that he's even helped you out of a sticky situation or two. And since you two know each other so well, I figured that maybe you could — how do you say — coax him into being my insurance policy at the King of the Ring."

Continuing to stare back at him blankly, Saphirra could not believe what Shawn was asking.

Sure, she and — were friends, but the two of them hadn't spoken in months.

From the few rumblings that she had heard about him, —- had quickly grabbed everyone's attentions in PPW, with his natural, Godgiven athletic ability. In fact, the WWF had already signed him to a very lucrative five-year contract, so everyone was well-aware of his potential.

And unfortunately, this now included Shawn Michaels. Still, what could he possibly want with —? And most importantly, what would she receive in return for helping him?

It's not like she and Shawn were friends.

Cocking an eyebrow back at him in clear suspicion, Saphirra asked shortly, "What's in it for me?"

Well-aware that she would undoubtedly ask him this, Shawn replied somewhat earnestly, "Well, for one, you'll get the satisfaction of knowing that you've helped the leader of the Ministry. We both know Mark. He's a very hard man to please. But him defeating the Rock on Sunday is also dependent upon me beating Austin in our match. The two go hand-in-hand.

"I mean, just think about how much Mark will reward you for your loyal service."

Gazing back at him with a look of skepticism, Saphirra could see, not only a look of seriousness in Shawn's eyes, but also feel apprehensiveness coming from HBK, as well. While she didn't necessarily think that Shawn was afraid of the Rattlesnake, she could definitely tell that Shawn was not only unsure of himself, but also unsure of his abilities, a well.

It had been more than a year since he had last competed inside a WWF ring, and he didn't want to repeat of WrestleMania 14.

However, Saphirra also felt that she had absolutely no reason to help Shawn. After all, this Ministry-Degeneration-X alliance had quickly run its course, and no matter how Shawn attempted to persuade her, Saphirra was done sticking her neck out for other people.

"I'm sorry, Shawn. But the answer is no."

Though he had made a great point about her pleasing her master, since she was desperate to be in his good graces once again, she knew that Shawn was only using her. He didn't care about her standing within the Ministry; all he cared about was himself. Not to mention the fact that DX had caused the Ministry more than their share of headaches as of late.

However, before she could turn to leave, Saphirra bumped right into the broad chest of Chyna, whom she had honestly forgotten was even there. And despite not even wanting to be there, Chyna also also recognized the fact that Shawn had to win his match against Austin, which left Saphirra with only two options:

She could choose to help DX the easy way, or, she could be forced to help DX the hard way.

The choice was her's.

Saphirra, however, showing absolutely no fear of the Ninth Wonder of the World, merely stared back at the massive enforcer. While many of the other women — and even many of the men — may have feared Joanie, Saphirra refused to be intimidated.

Watching as she nearly stuck her forefinger in the middle of her face, Saphirra heard Chyna say to her roughly, "Look, you're in this little pact between DX and the Ministry just as much as we are.

"So you need to hurry up and give your answer."

Smiling to herself, as she truly wasn't afraid of her, Saphirra stated perfectly, "Joanie, back up."

Beaming down at the shorter woman with near, laser-like vision, Chyna asked Kenny's sister darkly, "Or else what?"

Knowing that a confrontation was quickly brewing between these two, Shawn placed his hands between both the two women, separating them. When he meant that he needed a female voice, he didn't mean physical violence.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" he found himself nearly shouting, as Chyna and Saphirra continued to glare at each other. Clearly things had gotten way out of hand. "Will you two cut it out? Just chill, Joanie," Shawn demanded, while Chyna merely rolled her eyes in clear agitation.

By the sounds coming from the arena, the Mean Street Posse had already won their match against the Stooges, which meant that Hunter's match was next. She didn't have time for this.

Refocusing his attention on Saphirra, who still looked as if she wanted a piece of Chyna, Shawn blurted loudly, "Look, are you going to help me or what?"

Glaring back at him, while casually gazing over to Chyna, who now resting her hands upon her hips, Saphirra raised her index finger to Shawn's face, before saying to him finally, "I'll think about it."

And as they both watched as she slowly descended down the hallway, HBK, nudging Chyna in the side once again, gave her signal to leave, as well. Their job for the night was done.

Back in the present, Saphirra tepidly stared back at her master, awaiting his response.

She was honestly hoping that he wouldn't be angry with her. For a task as mundane as this, she honestly didn't feel that a man of his caliber should be burdened with something so trivial. His focus needed to be solely on retaining his World Wrestling Federation Title.

She just hoped that she had effectively conveyed this to him…

Feeling him stroke the side of her face gently, internally wishing that his soft touch wouldn't turn into something more sinister, Saphirra watched eagerly as her master asked plainly, "Is he here?"

Almost wanting to jump for joy, since her message had seemingly resonated with him, Saphirra nodded quickly, answering quickly, "Yes, sir. I called him after Monday's show. In fact, he just competed on Sunday Night Heat."

"Did he say that he was in?" Mark asked again.

After all, he too had a vested interest in Shawn defeating Austin tonight.

Seeing her nod once again, Saphirra responded softly, "At first… he was… apprehensive," Saphirra staggered, but found herself following up quickly, when she saw her master's facial features nearly change. She certainly didn't want to get in trouble for failing him once again.

"He told me that he would think things over. He actually requested that Shawn and I meet with him sometime tonight. That's when he said he would give us his answer. I just wanted to have your permission first before I proceeded any further."

Smirking wryly, Mark continued to caress Saphirra's face into his hand. She was absolutely desperate to earn his respect once again, and he could admire her determination. But time was also of the essence, and if they were going to get — on their side, they had to it quickly.

"Saphirra," Mark started, as he watched his servant, with shaky eyes, stare back at him nervously. "You're well-aware of much tonight means to the Ministry. So, you do what you have to do to get — on our side tonight.

"…By any means necessary."

Hearing the stress in her master's voice, Saphirra gulped nervously and nodded once more, before replying simply, "Yes, Master."

Feeling his hand drop from her face, which meant that he was now allowing her to leave, Saphirra quickly exited her master's dressing room, in search of the men's locker room.

She had a little business to discuss with Shawn and —- —.

After leaving hair and makeup, Stephanie found herself wandering through the arena, attempting to gather as much information into Gabby's disappearance.

She figured that someone must have known something. It was just so unlike her to quit anything, much less a profession that she absolutely loved. But so far, all the people that Stephanie had talked to seemed to be just as clueless as she was.

The only thing that Stephanie had managed to find out was that on the night that Gabby had abruptly quit, she had apparently arrived to the arena very late in the evening, much later than what she'd usually arrive.

From the one or two accounts from people who had interacted with her that night, Gabby had been apparently "agitated" by something. She had mentioned to several people that she had misplaced something valuable. But otherwise, nothing else would lead people to believe that Gabby was particularly upset about anything else, especially not to the point that she would actually resign.

And since this faithful Monday evening, no one had seen nor heard from Gabby, which worried Stephanie to death. Not only had she quit the company, seemingly without any real rhyme nor reason, but Gabby had also disconnected her cellphone, she wasn't returning any of her pages, and her e-mails had gone unanswered, too.

It was as if she had truly fallen off the face of the planet. Something must have happened, Stephanie felt.

She just didn't know what…

With her quest for answers quickly turning cold, Stephanie found herself walking despondently back to her dressing room. She needed to relax and take her mind off of her troubles. Tonight was going to be a very long night, and though she loved Gabby and missed her dearly, Stephanie and Mark both had to focus on what could be the most historic pay-per-view in WWF history.

Completely unsettled, with a mix of various emotions coursing through her body, Stephanie turned a corner near her dressing room, but instantly found herself bumping right into the broad chest of Triple H… who didn't look to be in a pleasant mood.

In fact, Hunter was beaming at Stephanie, with eyes that reflected hatred. She honestly couldn't tell if Triple H realized that she was actually Stephanie and not her husband…

He was beginning to scare her.

Apologizing quickly, as she attempted to maneuver around him, Stephanie found her path being immediately blocked by the much larger superstar. Gazing back up at him timidly, Stephanie once again attempted to go around him, this time in the opposite direction.

However, Triple H once again blocked her attempt. Cautiously gazing back up at him, Stephanie actually saw that Triple H was shaking with anger. The look on his face was absolutely terrifying, and Stephanie's hand instinctively fell to the base of her expectant belly.

What exactly did Triple H want with her?

Continuing to glare down at the smaller woman in front of him, Triple H finally found himself saying aggressively, "I just left the locker room of your dead ass husband, but he wasn't there. And since I can't seem to find him, I want you to deliver a little message to him for me."

Pointing his forefinger directly in Stephanie's face, who continued to stare back at him wildly, Triple H said plainly, "We have a score to settle. He put his hands on my girlfriend. And had the Rock never gotten involved in our match, I would be the World Wrestling Federation Champion."

Just him uttering the words that his sworn arch-nemesis had cost him the WWF Title made Hunter close his eyes and inhale angrily. He was incensed. Reopening his eyes and focusing his attention back to Stephanie, who was absolutely shaken by this random encounter, Triple H angrily continued.

"The next time that we come face to face, you let Mark know that I am coming. I am coming after my championship."

Shocked that out of all people, Triple H had chosen her to confront, Stephanie waited until he had finished his declaration, before nervously nodding, stammering in her reply, "Look… Paul. I honestly don't want anything to do with this. But if it makes you happy, I'll tell Mark exactly what you said."

As she once again attempted to walk around him, Stephanie found that Triple H was once again blocking her way to her dressing room. He wasn't allowing her to leave, which meant that he obviously still had something to say to her.

Staring back at him with fear and trepidation, Stephanie could see a certain fire dancing in Hunter's eyes. This was the most intense that she had ever seen him.

Regarding her up and down, almost as if she were the scum of the earth, Triple H nearly growled in his rebuttal, saying once again, "Nah, Steph. You have everything to do with what's going on. You're the reason why this damn company is in the shape that it's in in the first place."

Appalled that he was actually blaming her for the current state of the World Wrestling Federation, Stephanie actually had the presence of mind to slap Triple H as hard as she could! She couldn't believe that he was blaming her for the ongoing power struggle between Mark and her father.

But, in the mood that he was in, she couldn't risk him potentially causing harm, not only herself, but also to her unborn child. She had to stay calm, no matter what Triple H said to her.

She had to play the game.

"It's because of you that the Corporation fell apart; first with Vince, then when Shane. And that affected me," Triple H berated, while Stephanie found herself suddenly glaring back at him, this time with an intensity of her own.

She didn't enjoy being held responsible for something that she initially had absolutely no control over, and yet, Triple H was not only laying all of the company's issues solely at her feet, but he was seemingly also blaming her for many of his career shortcomings, as well.

It was clear that in this moment, Triple H only saw Stephanie as a verbal punching bag. And for she and her child's physical safety, all she could do was stand there and take it.

"I was going to ride that Corporate bandwagon until the wheels fell off, but Vince got distracted. Because you see, some sicko under his employ was stalking his daughter, so he lost focus. After the Rock left the Corporation, it was going to be me to step up to the plate, to take his spot. It was mine for the taking. But that didn't happen and that's all because of you.

"Mark got what he wanted and I didn't. Hell, he's even got you looking a bit different there, Steph," Hunter mocked, as he casually looked her up and down, with an even more disapproving scowl.

Before, Stephanie actually felt that she looked rather nice. She felt that the combination of a yellow, cropped cardigan, black mini-skirt, and black, high-heeled sandals complemented her very well.

But, the way that Hunter was literally ogling at her, and not in a good way, made Stephanie feel cheap and undesirable. As if she was the lowest scum of the earth.

Smiling to himself, since he honestly took great pleasure in the fact that he could finally let off a bit of steam, even it was at Stephanie's expense, Triple H ended his diatribe by saying, "So, since you were so useless in the past, getting yourself kidnapped and all that, why don't you just run along.

"But, you better make damned sure that you Mark exactly what I said."

Leaning into her personal space, nearly nose to nose with the shorter woman, Stephanie wisely attempted to walk away from him once again. After all, God only knew what else was on this man's mind. And if he was crass enough to blame her for being abducted, then there was honestly no telling what he could possibly say or even do next.

He was unhinged.

As she slowly stepped the side of him, Stephanie found that he was no longer blocking her exit.

He was allowing her to leave.

But, as she began taking a few nervous steps in the direction of her dressing room, Stephanie honestly didn't feel like herself anymore. No matter who he was, Triple H had absolutely no right to talk to her like this.

And what's more, Stephanie had actually allowed Hunter to disrespect her.

Stephanie wasn't just some random woman off of the street. Her name was Stephanie Calaway. And if she allowed Hunter to demean her like this today, then she was more than certain that he would try to corner and intimidate her again the next time that things weren't going his way.

She'd be the scapegoat for everything.

And it was in that moment that Stephanie finally decided to stand up for herself. She simply couldn't allow Hunter to treat her like this. Stopping prematurely, and with a renewed surge of confidence, Stephanie spoke calmly, but just loud enough for him to hear her question, "I mean, is it even a rivalry anymore?"

Hearing her surprisingly saying something, Triple H turned to see Stephanie with her back turned to him. He was already agitated and he didn't have time for her jibber-jabber. Preparing to finally put Mark's wife in her place once and for all, Triple H barked loudly, "What are you talking about?"

Smiling to herself coyly, knowing that she had perfectly cast her bait, Stephanie glanced back over her shoulder, before slowly turning to her husband's adversary. And with as much swagger as she would have if she was confronting Saphirra or even Angel, Stephanie found herself nearly strutting in Hunter's direction.

She definitely had a score to settle. No one talked to her like this.

"I asked, 'Is it even a rivalry anymore?' You know, your rivalry with the Rock."

Confused as to what she was even talking about, Stephanie answered her own question before Triple H had the opportunity to, saying to him once again, "I mean, you talk about how you were going to ride this 'Corporate bandwagon,' and how you were ready to take the Rock's spot.

"But let's face facts, Hunter: you are not on the Rock's level."

Seeing his face contort in rage, Stephanie found herself sneering at Triple H, savoring in his anger.

It emboldened her. She had definitely struck a nerve.

After all, the rivalry between Triple H and the Rock was already the stuff of legend. As the one-time leaders of two of the most dominate factions in company history — the Nation and Degeneration-X — Rocky and Hunter had waged all out war on each other. Even when they were both supposedly on the same time as members of the Corporation, the two men only managed to tolerate each other.

They were never truly friends and the same could be said right now.

And in their race to the top of the WWF corporate ladder, it was the Rock who had become the man, not Triple H. And since she had to stand and take his hateful diatribe and spiel, Stephanie wanted to remind Triple H of this fact, as well.

"I mean, let's be honest here," Stephanie started, as she rested her left hand comfortably against an opposing wall, staring back at Hunter mockingly. "You and the Rock are both WWF Superstars. And you've done a lot to be enjoy the comfortable, cushy positions that you find yourselves in.

"While 'Terror Ryzin' was a wrasslin' down in the mucks of WCW, the Rock was a failed football star. You both landed here in the World Wrestling Federation, but to be honest, Hunter, at first, you were nothing more than the Kliq's bag boy. You were nothing more than Shawn's personal chauffeur, when he was too pilled up and high out of his gorge to handle himself."

Watching as his lips began to tremble violently, while he hands began to clench and unclench menacingly, Stephanie, with nerves of steel, continued, maliciously saying to him, "Then you found yourself in Degeneration-X, firmly behind to your boy, Shawn Michaels. And honestly, Paul, you're still in HBK's shadow. Your light will never shine brighter than his.

"Oh, yes, you've had your fair share of successes every now and again," Stephanie derided, as she ticked up her fingers, providing a visual list of all of Triple H's previous accomplishments.

"You've been, what, the European Champion for a cup of coffee? And you were even the Intercontinental Champion for a few months. That's not too bad.

"But while the Rock may have started his career being booed out the building, look at what he's accomplished. He's the first, third-generation WWF Superstar; he's the youngest Intercontinental Champion. And most importantly, he's the youngest World Wrestling Federation Champion, a title that he's held on three separate occasions."

And as she held up three fingers mockingly, smiling from ear to ear, while Triple H stared back at her venomously, Stephanie knew that her plan was working. Because no matter what, the end goal was still to pit both Triple H and the Rock against each other.

In that one moment, seeing the forest through the trees couldn't have been clearer.

"I mean, that's not to say that the Rock is somehow more athletic than you, or even more talented than you. Because I have to say, Hunter: you are pretty damn good," Stephanie complimented, nodding shortly. "But, the Rock has something that you don't, and that is focus."

Slightly turning his head in the opposite direction, seemingly staring aimlessly at the floor beneath him, Stephanie, realizing that she had him exactly where she wanted him.

"While you were preoccupied with crotch chopping the fans, and telling people to 'suck it' in unison every single week, the Rock was leveraging his connections to my father.

"Oh yeah, you finally smarted up to Vince's brilliance. I mean, you've said it yourself. But, by the time you did, it was just a little too late, wasn't it, Hunter? Because while the Rock quickly found himself on the outs with the Corporation, in a time that you said was 'your time,' Mark had already created the perfect hostile takeover.

"And as much as I hate to admit it: Mark won. That takes some brilliance to outsmart Vince McMahon, especially since Vince isn't easily fooled," Stephanie admitted.

Despite how she felt about him, Stephanie would never deny her father's genius. Vince was a very intelligent man, which only compounded the fact that Mark had truly beaten him at his own game. Someone like Triple H, especially with how he was now, could never attempt such a feat, much less accomplish it…

And Triple H knew this, as well.

Watching as he continued to advert his attention from her beaming hot gaze, Stephanie added bluntly, "And now, there's no Vince; there's no Shane. The Corporation is dead. So where does that leave you, Hunter?"

Chuckling to herself, as she began to tap her black heel against the floor, the sound of it echoing throughout the hall, Stephanie answered herself again, defiantly declaring, "Well, it leaves you right where you started from: back in the shadow of Shawn Michaels.

"Not only is Shawn wrestling Stone Cold Steve Austin in the main event, you're not even on the card tonight. You're all dressed and ready for a match that you're not even scheduled for," Stephanie noted, as she took in Triple H's wrestling attire for the evening.

Once again, this was all true.

While Mark was fighting the Rock for the WWF Title, Billy Gunn, X-Pac, the Road Dogg, and even Chyna — after Triple H literally gave the latter his opportunity — were all participating in the King of the Ring tournament.

And as frustrated as she knew that Hunter was, especially since he was seemingly spinning his wheels, yet going absolutely nowhere, Stephanie felt that Triple H only had himself to blame for this. His lack of career trajectory was not her fault, but rather his. And instead of passing the buck onto her, it was more than time that Paul finally realized and accepted this fact, no matter how harsh it was.

Snickering to herself, as she tossed her hair across her shoulder confidently, Stephanie compounded her criticism, by saying to him sharply, "Kinda sucks when you put everything into perspective, now doesn't it? While you're backstage berating me, your arch-nemesis is once again headlining a major pay-per-view. When was the last time you even sniffed a pay-per-view main event, Hunter?"

Seeing him now cast his attention to the ceiling above them, as he was honestly taking in everything that she was saying, Stephanie ended her tirade, by adding one last parting shot.

"And you know, you can mock me. You can even blame me for all of your issues. But, I honestly think that I sleep a lot better than Joanie at night. At least I know that I'm not sharing a bed with an acute failure."

It was at the word "failure" that Hunter instantly snapped out of his cationic-like state, as he found himself nose to nose with the boss' wife, beaming down at her once again.

But surprisingly, Stephanie was no longer backing down. Only mere moments ago. But now, Stephanie was purposefully challenging him, by not only highlighting Triple H's lowlights as both a competitor and a man.

With his face glowing a bright shade of red, Triple H, fuming with anger, nearly had the presence of mind to do bodily harm to this woman. She was nothing and she meant nothing to him.

"Just who in the hell does she think she is?" His expression read. But, he also had to remember just whom Stephanie was, as well.

Not only was this horrid woman a McMahon, but she was also Mark's wife, and a non-competitor. In essence, Stephanie was nothing more than a civilian, meaning that Triple H would not only go to jail for assault if he even so much as laid a finger on her, but he would also lose his job.

All of his years of hard work, dedication, and effort would instantly go down the drain, and at this stage in his career, he simply could not afford that to happen to him, no matter what this woman said.

Regaining his senses somewhat, but still shaking and twitching, Triple H, boiling with anger, was somehow able to manage, "I guess that little punk, X-Pac, was right all along about you, huh?"

Knowing that he was undoubtedly referring to Sean's revelation about her newfound attitude, Stephanie, in the exact same verbiage that she responded to Angel in, replied bluntly, "Maybe."

Smiling at him wickedly, while Hunter snorted loudly, knowing everything that he needed to know, Stephanie turned and nearly sauntered away from him. She knew that Triple H was glaring at her, and as she walked away, Stephanie found herself stopping on a dime once again, leaving one last parting message to Mr. Helmsley.

Ticking up her index finger, Stephanie stated finally, "But, there is one thing that you can do, Hunter. We'll just have to see if you're smart enough to figure it out."

And with that, Stephanie left a speechless and fuming Triple H in her wake, while she continued walking to her dressing room.

Stephanie had played the game. And won.