The other shareholders, a flock of nervous sparrows, had been easily scattered by the hawk that was Linsy. Their instigator, the viper-tongued Raymond , had been publicly defanged. Now, no one dared to even meet Linsy’s steady gaze, let alone challenge her.

Gracas had initially hoped to sit back and watch a catfight between Linsy and Raymond, a battle from which she could emerge as the unexpected victor. But the confrontation had not unfolded as she’d fantasized. Linsy’s calm authority ...