Sophie''s car smoothly pulled up to the entrance of S Corporation, where Tricia was already waiting on the sidewalk. Spotting Sophie, Tricia quickly made her way over, eximing, "Ms. Sophie! I''m so d you''re here." Even from a distance, Sophie could hear the heated exchanges echoing nearby. With a furrowed brow, she asked, "What''s going on?"


    "The shareholders are having a full-blown argument with our partners!"


    "Is it because of today''s news?"


    Tricia nodded, exining, "The partners think it''s a scandal, so they''re demanding an exnation from you. But all the shareholders are standing by you, so it''s turned into a real shouting match!" "I''d better check it out."


    Sophie followed Tricia to the meeting room, where the air was thick with tension as several people were caught up in a fierce debate.


    A shareholder jabbed a finger at a partner, dering, "Our Ms. Sophie has always been above board! You really believe those online rumors? Wait ''til Ms. Sophie gets here, then we''ll see what''s what!" Unfazed, the partner shot back, "We all know what Sophie''s like. That mess back in Devonport was telling. I''ve always thought having a woman as CEO was fishy, and now it looks like she flirted her way up!" "You''re out of line!"


    "Let''s not lose our cool!"


    Another shareholder stepped in to calm the situation, just as Sophie entered the room.


    Tricia leaned in, whispering, "Ms. Sophie, everyone''s been at it for over half an hour, and they''re nowhere near settling things."


    Sophie sighed, rubbing her temples, then turned her attention to the partner who had been so vocal.


    Seeing Sophie, the partner''s blusterN?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    ced by a more


    conciliatory tone. "Ms. Sophie, we


    W discussing things, no


    offense meant."


    Not missing a beat, Sophie shed a knowing smile. "Grayson, weren''t you just using me of getting ahead by flirting? Why so quiet now?" Grayson, clearly taken aback by Sophie''s directness, let his forced smile slip.


    Settling into a chair, Sophie said, "So, we''re here to talk, right? Let''s get to it."


    After a deep breath, Grayson spoke up, "Ms. Sophie, let''s be frank. Burke International has offered us a lower rate and is even willing to pay our penalty fees if we switch."


    Sophie nodded, considering his words. "And what''s your take on that, Grayson? What''s everyone thinking?"


    The partners exchanged uncertain nces.


    "Ms. Sophie, we''ve had a good run working together, but you get it-we''re in this to make a profit. If someone else offers better terms, well..."


    Before another partner could finish,


    a shareholder jumped in angrily, "Do you realize how much Ms. Sophie has done for you? All those benefits we gave you, just tossed aside? And now you turn around and nder her calling her promiscuous? That''s low!"


    The partners'' expressions darkened at this.


    "Karter," Sophie interjected, raising a hand. "Let''s not make things worse. A little venting is okay, but no need to burn bridges."