Hope Newton reluctantly swallowed a bite of her fried dough stick, suddenly finding it unappealing, even a little nauseating.

“People these days really can eat a lot,” she muttered, a faint tinge of sadness in her voice. No matter what the industry, there were always those who would cling to power and curry favor.

“What are you guys even talking about?!”

Penelope Farrell slammed her hand on the table, anxious, but the three others just glanced at her coolly without explaining a thing.

James Wall checked his watch. “Master Easton, you’ve got an international video conference at eight.”

Knowing Easton had work to attend to, Hope felt a pang of...