Taunting

"Clearly she isn't ready to make a deal if she's this late."

It was Markus's voice! 

She recognized it the moment she heard it. She paused in her step and listened in on their conversation instead.

"This is outrageous. Leo would never have allowed this."

"That's what you get for putting a woman in charge."

Maddison bit her lip. Anger boiled in her veins. She had worked hard ever since she took over the position. She absorbed everything like a thirsty sponge, asked questions when she did not understand. 

There were times she thought she would not be able to handle things but she still pulled through. She wasn't about to let their words get to her. 

[It's all part of the plan.] She repeated to herself internally before regaining her composure and entered the room.