y reputation。〃 He looked at her sideways；
skeptical now。 〃I'd have thought that if environmental concerns were
your focus； the oil panies would be your archenemies。〃
She blushed。 He made nothing easy； that was for sure。 But if he wanted
to be honest； she could be honest right back。 〃I needed the money；〃 she
said and braced herself for the response that was sure to e。
And she wasn't let down。 Ross's eyes widened； then narrowed。 〃You needed
the money？〃 He frowned。 〃Did I miss something here？ I was given to think
James Macdaniel was…is…mne of the wealthiest men in New Orleans。〃
〃He is。〃
〃Then； why 。。。 ？〃
〃Among other things；〃 she began in self…defense； 〃it was a matter of
pride。 I wanted to start my own consulting firm and didn't want to ask
my father for money。〃 Ross should know how much she had changed。 He
should know that she was her own woman now。
But his take on the situation was different from hers。 〃So you sold out
to the powers that be for the amount of time it took you to gather the
resources to mount a systematic campaign against those same powers？〃
Chloe reacted quickly and vehemently。 〃That's not true。 Not true at all。
The work I did for the oil panies involved identifying the most
likely spots for oil deposits。 Wherever possible； environmental
considerations were put first。 And you're a fine one to talk about
selling out。 I had the impression； when I saw you last； that you were
against everything the establishment had to offer。〃
Ross leaned back in his chair。 〃You drew your own conclusions； Chloe。
Appearances can be misleading。〃 His tone was low； his voice and eyes
steady。
C