"Do you think I have a shot?"
Rupert looked her up and down. "You're young and pretty. I doubt any man could say no."
"That's exactly why I brought you into the company."
"Once the boss gets here, I'll find a way to introduce you. If you can win him over, our whole family goes straight to the top."
Maureen swallowed hard, her voice thick with ambition. "Don't worry, Rupert. I'll make him fall for me. Count on it."
Watching the two of them scheme, I couldn't help but say:
"The boss isn't going to be interested in someone like you."
Maureen's face twisted with fury.
"You backwater nobody—what would you know?"
"Pay what you owe and shut your mouth. Once I'm the boss's wife, you won't even be worthy of kissing up to me!"
I said nothing.
Rupert's patience had run out. "I'm asking you one last time. Sixty-five thousand. Yes or no?"
I looked at him, my voice even. "No."
Rupert's eyes narrowed to slits, his tone dropping low.
"Since you don't know what's good for you, don't blame me for what comes next."
He turned and waved over the security guards.
"Get this unauthorized factory grunt off the premises. Now."
On his order, several guards moved toward me, ready to drag me out.