“She has you right where she wants you,” Hampden warned. “Which is why we did a little digging.” He slid a manila folder toward Dorsey.

The other board members eyed one another warily. “Hampden, we agreed not to do this,” one began.

“Sorry, but it’s gone too far,” Hampden said. “We were able to chat with Liza Bennett’s sister’s ex, who says that the sister is a mentally unstable alcoholic. Moreover, her mother has quite the reputation for sleeping with married men. My grandkids know how to turn some photos of her into memes so that it seems organic.”

“Is this the same ex that killed their baby boy driving drunk?”

Anger shimmered around him. Who did these people think they were? Who did these people think he was? “Is this the same sister that paid her way and part of her siblings’ way through college?” His voice shook. “This is not who we are. If we get this deal, it will be by the sweat of our own brow, not on the backs of people who can’t defend themselves.” Dorsey pounded the oak table.

“This naiveté is precisely why this project is failing,” Mr. Hampden roared.

“What about all the other development deals? I’ve come in and closed them without exception,” Dorsey said.

“You know how important Netherfield is to the strategic plan of the company. We want to bid on federal building contracts, and this was our way in. You bungled it because you wanted to get in someone’s pants.” The table erupted in censure. Hampden was letting it all fly today.

“We can find another way in,” Dorsey said. He would not let them rile him.

“We’re tired of waiting, Dorsey. I’m afraid this little experiment isn’t working out. We have begun a search in earnest for a new CEO.”

“The WCO—” Dorsey started.

“You’re fired.” The word ricocheted through the room like a gunshot.

They would dismantle WCO. They would close up every school and orphanage, citing financial pressures. He had failed his mother and, as a result, failed women like his biological mother. For the first time in his life, he hadn’t gotten what he wanted. Liza had rejected him and dismissed him outright. He was being unceremoniously fired. And his mother’s legacy would be washed away with his job.

Liza had every reason to dread this meeting. Why had she called him? Oh right, she was desperate.

WIC walked into the coffee shop like a celebrity. Pretty women’s heads turned. He flashed a brilliant smile and sat down next to Liza.

“Hey, lovely.”

“Um, hey.” Her heart rate was as slow and steady as an athlete’s. Amazing what information could do to your libido.

He sat wide-legged with the chair turned around like a cool substitute teacher. “I looked over the proposal doc you sent. Can we talk about it?”