Ron Lee’s face twitched violently. The feral snarl that had twisted his features slowly faded, replaced by a mask of forced, painful submission.
He had been blinded by rage, but Winter Lacy’s cold words acted like a bucket of ice water dumped over his head.
"You have ability," Winter Lacy continued, her voice smooth and indifferent, like a judge passing a sentence. "You act decisively. You are a rare talent in the business world. However..."
She paused, inspecting her manicured fingernails as if Ron were less interesting than a speck of dust.
"The Republic never lacks talent. There are thousands of men waiting in line to take your position."
She looked him in the eye. "Recognize your identity. Do not let favor make you arrogant. Do not think you are indispensable."
"After all," she s
