In the CEO''s office of the McKinney Group, Randy looked like a puppy that had just been scolded for chewing up a favorite shoe.


    "Look," he began, gesturing helplessly, "it''s not my fault that the sales numbers dropped. I''m doing the work of three people here. I just can''t keep up anymore. And it''s not just that. Lately, we''ve had all these clients wanting to terminate their contracts early. I''m running all over the ce, attending back-to-back meetings, and juggling both domestic and international issues. I mean,e on, you guys have to cut me some ck."


    Erica chimed in, "I can vouch for him. These past few days, he''s been running himself ragged. It''s not that he''s ipetent. It''s that thepetition is too fierce right now. He''s swamped."


    "Exactly." Randy straightened up. "Erica nailed it. That''s exactly what I''ve been saying. Marion, where''s my hardship bonus, huh?"


    Sittingfortably on the couch opposite him, Marion didn''t even blink. Instead, he calmly poured Debra a ss of water and replied, "Bonuses go through Debra. She handles all the money in our house."novelbin


    Randy shot to his feet, ring at Marion, but before he couldunch into a tirade, Debra reached into her bag and pulled out a card.


    "Here," she said, tossing it toward him.


    Randy caught it happily. "That''s what I''m talking about. Wait, this is issued by Orkgate Bank. How much is it?"


    Debra shrugged. "Not sure, but at least ten million."


    "Ten million?" Randy eximed, putting it away in his pocket. "d to be at your service, Ms. Frazier." Marion chimed in, "That card''s from Drake. Still want it?"


    "Drake


    Dot Randy quickly p


    out


    Psard and tossed it back to


    "No, I won''t take his money."


    Debra asked with amusement, "Why not? Does his money burn?"


    He replied, "Who knows? Spending his money mightnd me in jail the next day."


    Everyone knew that the Lowe family''s dealings were murky at best. That card could very well be connected to money that wasn''t clean.


    зим


    Debra exined, "Rx. It''s not a handout. It''s thepensation


    money he gave me. Technical


    speaking, it''s clean, so spending it isn''t illegal."


    "Really?"


    "Yeah."


    "Then I''ll take it."


    Randy dashed over to retrieve the card.


    Erica swatted the back of his head. "Have some dignity, will you?"


    Randy rubbed his head and grinned. "D