The shareholders chimed in one after another, raising their hands in support of Terry taking over the company.
"Olive, to be honest, we've never respected where you come from."
"The company keeps growing, and we don't want your background becoming a liability. Something people whisper about over drinks."
With everyone rallying behind her, Beulah's boldness swelled.
I had just pulled a slim cigarette from my case and was about to light it when she snatched it right out of my hand.
"Oh, a high-end brand?" She scoffed. "You think smoking expensive cigarettes makes you somebody?"
She stuck the cigarette she'd taken from me between her own lips, perched herself on the edge of the table right in front of me, and lit it with a smirk. She took a long drag.
Then, with all the arrogance in the world, she blew the smoke directly into my face.
"Why are you still sitting there like an idiot? Hurry up and—"
"Get up!"
She swung her foot and kicked my chair hard.
I looked up at her, my voice cold as ice.
"Last month, when I was away on a business trip, someone else was stupid enough to kick my chair."
"Do you know what happened to her leg?"
My warning didn't faze Beulah. If anything, it made her worse.