Another shareholder chimed in, "Alexander has a point. We''ve been partners for a year. Are you really gonna bail over some gossip? Fine. You can leave after


    paying back every perk Mrs. Houston ever gave you."


    The room fell silent. Truth was, Debra had always been the fairest business partner they''d ever had.


    Emmett stepped forward. "It''s not personal, Mrs. Houston. But Seamar City runs on rules. If we piss off Mr. Nichols, our businesses will suffer."


    Nods rippled through the group.


    Debra leaned back in her chair. "So, you think Juan''s word carries more weight than mine?"


    The partners exchanged uneasy nces.


    Emmett scoffed, "Let''s be real. Without Mr. Nichols, no one would''ve noticed you. Now you''re remarried..."


    The room tensed at his brazenness. He continued, "Sure, Marion Houston''s got your back. But a woman''s still a woman. Without him, you''d drown here."


    "Oh?" Debra sneered. "Didn''t expect you to think of me that way."


    She stood up and dered, "I''m the founder of the McKinney Group. You want to quit? Sure. Pay the breach of contract fee. Otherwise, no one is leaving through this door today."


    No one moved.


    She smirked, "Not leaving?"


    The partners remained silent.


    She continued, "Let me guess. The Nichols Group''s promises are all talk. So, you''re here to squeeze me for cheaper rates and prime storefronts, aren''t you?"


    Emmett''s face reddened. "Give us better terms, and we''ll stay."


    The other partners echoed, "Yeah. Beat their offer, and we continue our cooperation."


    None of them were foolish. They


    could the Nichols Group was not once was, while the


    McKinney Group was a rispet


    star.


    They naturally preferred to coborate with thetter.


    Debra crossed her arms. "Well then, let me make my stance clear. My offer will


    not change."