Harborline Technologies had spent months seeking growth capital, but Amos had never confused need with readiness. "Peter," he said, "I may reopen our review." Hope entered the silence, then steadied itself. "What do you need?"
48 hours. Send me your supplier scoring framework, employee reporting protections, and 2 years of complaint audits. Remove any category built around executive image, cultural fit, or customer comfort unless it is tied to documented conduct. Agree to an independent review.
Peter exhaled. "That's a serious change." "So is the money." Amos did not soften it.
"I'm not asking for a promise. I'm asking for proof." Peter said he would have the material ready. Amos ended the call before the lobby.
Thirty floors above, Norah Ellis closed the boardroom door and faced Vanessa. The others had begun gathering papers, though no one had moved on. "He can withdraw," Norah said. "The contract gives Davenport Meridian until Friday."
Vanessa remained at the head of the table. "Then call him. You should call him." Norah's voice stayed level, but effort showed at the corners of her mouth, not to bargain, to apologize.
For one brief moment, Vanessa looked toward the empty chair across from her. It was the second chance the morning had offered. She turned away. "He'll come back," she said.
"People like that do not get many chances to enter a room like this." Alicia stopped packing her notes. Howard Keane looked at Vanessa, then at the door Amos had used. No one corrected her.
Miriam returned to her desk and opened the meeting minutes. The first draft read, "Ms. Crowe declined Mr. Davenport's offered handshake and questioned his authority after his identity had been confirmed." Ten minutes later, a tracked revision appeared under Vanessa's name.
Brief difference in greeting protocol. Miriam stared at it. The cursor blinked beside the sentence. She restored the original wording, saved a private copy to a protected folder, then left the edited version open without approving it.