"What merger are you talking about?" Gabriel says, but deep inside he already has an inkling—and it all feels ugly. Like someone has pulled out the carpet from under him.
"Come on, Gabriel," Michelle says, still with that smile on her face. "You know what I'm talking about. The merger. The one you and your chief finance officer have been cooking up with one of my companies. Relentless Holdings, remember?"
Michelle's words burn in Gabriel's brain. Relentless Holdings. Oh my God. How did this happen? This is impossible. Whatever happened to the supposed due diligence performed by his top finance persons, his legal team? Gabriel grinds his teeth. He feels betrayed. He smells a rat. But who among his people, he has no freaking idea.
"I'm here because I need to personally take care of my business interest," Michelle says, parking her ass on one of Gabriel's luxuriously cushioned seats.
"No," Gabriel says, and it comes off almost as a yell. "Get out."
