Trumped

Can life be more perfect for Brent Shannon? Absolutely not, until it unravels and proves itself a fraud. Richmont Corporation President, Ben Voorhees, announces the promotion of Brent's boss, Marlene Wolff. Her successor will be announced within a week. Brent is shocked and foresees a coming titanic change, but is ill-prepared for its magnitude and destructive power. Brent is filled by two passions. His wife Annette fulfills his emotional self, and his career fuels his intellectual and competitive self. Eight years earlier, his workaholism had caused a bitter separation. Reconciliation had contained his promise that family always trumps career. The knowledge that he is a candidate for Marlene's job is a magnet to his ambition, but he knows Annette will have none of the increased work commitment that the promotion would require. Although disappointing, he sees no career risk in not seeking the bigger job. But, how little he sees. Brent is told that the other candidate, Paul Kruger, is driven to destroy him. Brent discounts this until Kruger's first attack. Reality strikes - he defeats Kruger or loses his career. This decision throws Brent into a world of corporate intrigue against a demoniac foe for which he is ill-prepared. Simultaneously, he is stunned by the unmasking of his wife's utter distrust and lack of faith in him.