Joel Howard -- arrogant, self-assured and all too aware of his sexualmagnetism -- reminded Cassie of the unlikelihood of anyone ever loving her.She would rather have sold her soul to the devil than ally herself with him.So she entertained a proposal from his closest competitor, dangerouslyunderestimating Joel's desire to take over her London-based computer-gamescompany. "There's only one way I can be sure of your loyalty." Joel toldher, "and that's by buying it, the same way Peter Williams intended to buyit by marrying you."