Joyce glared at Carlos. “Without me,” she hissed, “you’re nothing! You have no abilities and no money. Your company is getting back on track, but now you’ve betrayed me. If you have any backbone at all, leave me. But don’t expect any support from me for the Foster Group in the future.”

This was an idle threat. When faced with an ultimatum, Joyce assumed that Carlos would cave and get off her back. But, instead, she was about to have a very rude awakening.

Carlos stared at her with ...