Debra''s car pulled up at thepany entrance.


    Ben hurried over as soon as she stepped out. "Madam, you''re finally here."


    Debra heard themotion from down the hall. She frowned. "What''s going on?" "The shareholders and our partners are at each other''s throats."


    "Over today''s news?"


    Ben nodded. "The partners say the scandal''s a public image disaster and demand answers. The shareholders are defending you. It''s a warzone."


    "Let''s settle this," Debra said, following him to the conference room.


    Inside, a shareholder jabbed a finger at a partner. "Mrs. Houston''s integrity is rock-solid. You''re buying into tabloid gossip? Wait till she gets here. She''ll wipe the floor with you."


    The partner fired back, "We all know what kind of woman she is. A female CEO always seemed fishy. Now we see she climbed thedder on her back."


    Debra strode in, silencing the room. Ben muttered, "They''ve been at this for half an hour."


    The partner who''d insulted her suddenly paled. "Mrs. Houston, we were just discussing."


    Debra took a seat at the head of the table. "Mr. Krueger, weren''t you just lecturi everyone about how Kslept


    my way up? Don''t stop on my


    ount."


    Emmett Krueger''s smile vanished.


    She leaned forward. "What''s wrong? Let''s discuss openly and properly."


    Emmett


    iet


    honest, the Nichols Group is offering


    better rates. If we jump ship,


    even cover our penalty


    they''ll


    Debra nodded thoughtfully, scanning those partners. "And you all agree?"


    The partners shifted ufortably. One of them spoke up. "We''re businesspeople. Profites first. Their offer is better, so..."


    A shareholder mmed the table.


    "After all the deals we gave you? et


    You''re stabbing Mrs. Houston in the back and slut-shaming her? Scumbags."


    The partners scowled, feeling offended.


    "Mr. Werner." Debra raised a hand. "Vent all you want, but don''t burn bridges."