"2,000 dollars. Everyone, transfer it now."
As I waited in the conference room, Madison's voice carried faintly from beyond two closed doors.
I couldn't hear the rest, but the answer came 30 minutes later.
When I stepped out to get water, I found a girl crouched against the wall at the end of the hallway. Her eyes were swollen from crying.
I recognized her as one of the officers who had handed out flyers at Madison's booth. Her name was Chloe Evans.
"What happened?"
She looked up and froze when she saw me. Then she wiped her face and seemed to make a decision.
"Madison is making us pay her. She calls it an executive reception fee and elite-network development fee. It's 2,000 dollars per person."
"How many people?"
"There are 18 officers in the group. She kicked out everyone who co
