“If you plan to invest a single dollar in Brandon’s development project tonight, Mr.

Pembroke, I strongly advise you to read page forty-two first.”

“Arthur, you’re fired,” Victoria said.

Her voice was barely a whisper now, strained and shaking with fury.

“Pack up your papers and get out of my house.”

Vance picked up his brass pen and clipped it into his breast pocket.

“You can’t fire me, Victoria.

I don’t work for you.”