f 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。
Chloe was stunned。 She stood up and cried； 〃It was all a charade； then？
The clothes； the beard； even the Peace Corps？〃 She turned away；
disillusioned and heartsick。 Head bowed； she grappled with the idea of
an attraction based on a lie。
Ross materialized before her。 〃Did i