Debra''s eyes narrowed at this guy she''d never heard of.


    Michael had kept it under wraps, proving he had never fully trusted her.


    "Mrs. Houston," Jason said, "I''m here for Mr. Austin to negotiate. He called this shareholder vote in the name of the biggest stakeholder. He''s got the right to kick it off. Any objections?"


    Debra plopped into the head chair. "Cut the polite crap. Everyone''s here. Objections or not, this vote''s happening, right? No way it''s that simple."


    "Mrs. Houston," Jason said coolly, "today''s vote''s straightforward: who''s better suited as the McKinney Group CEO, you or Mr. Austin? Everyone here sees what you both bring. In the past two years, you''ve barely shown up. Mr. Austin ran the show, held a key role, and raked in profits. He''s the clear pick for CEO."


    "So, you''re saying I suck as the boss?" Debra shot back.<fna0bc> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n find{n}ovel</fna0bc>


    Michael didn''t even show, sending this random assistant instead. That already pissed her off.


    Now this guy''s veiled jabs annoyed her even more.


    "I''m just stating facts," Jason said. "The shareholders know Mr. Austin''s track record. You can defend yourself. I''ve got no issue with that."


    He''d brought awyer, acting like they''d already won.


    Debra scanned the room. "What does everyone think? Same as Jason here?"


    The shareholders swapped looks. One of them said, "The McKinney Group exists because of Mrs. Houston. We''re her old crew and will continue to support her."


    Some people nodded, but one disagreed, "Sure, Mrs. Houston founded thepany, but talent moves on. She''s barely around. Michael and Ben are the ones holding it down. That''s irresponsible to us shareholders. Plus, I''ve always thought a woman can''t cut it. Michael''s tight with Mrs. Houston, so she wouldn''t mind stepping aside, right?"


    "I concur," another chimed in. "Mrs. Houston rarelyes to the office. We''ve gotta chase Ben just to reach her. Without Michael, this ce would''ve tanked. She should let go for the greater good. She keeps her shares, sits back, and checks cash. Isn''t that better?"