Millionaire's Wife Humiliated the Waitress — Her Epic Response Silenced the Room!
Chapter 5
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"That sounds healthy."Mia laughed. "You'll fit in."The boardroom held more than a dozen attorneys: Howard's outside lawyers sat on one side, Harold Lawson's legal team sat on the other.Howard stood when Catherine entered. "Miss Jenkins.""Mr. Hayes."Harold nodded. "Counselor.""I haven't passed the bar yet.""Then consider it practice."One of Howard's senior attorneys, Robert Vance, looked less pleased. He was an experienced corporate partner with perfectly arranged gray hair and the expression of someone who disliked surprises. "Mr. Hayes," he said, "Miss Jenkins is a student. She cannot act as licensed counsel.""I know. She is an independent consultant. You remain counsel."Robert looked at Catherine. "Then perhaps she can observe."Catherine opened the new draft. "I was retained to review."Harold hid a smile behind his coffee.They began. The most dangerous cross-default clause had been removed. Catherine did not relax: she moved line by line through the agreement, comparing definitions with schedules and schedules with annexes.Less than an hour later, she stopped. "The amortization schedule conflicts with the cure period."One of Harold's lawyers looked up. "It does not.""It does if the payment date falls on a banking holiday under the incorporated calendar."The attorney turned several pages.Catherine pointed: "The main agreement allows ten business days to cure. This schedule starts default interest after five calendar days. Because the schedule controls when provisions conflict, the borrower effectively receives the shorter period."Robert Vance leaned over the table. He read the language twice. "She is right."The clause was changed.Later, Catherine found a valuation provision that shifted most legal expenses to Howard, even if an independent appraiser ruled in his favor. She proposed narrower language; this time, Robert supported her before anyone else spoke.Another hour passed. The room gradually stopped treating Catherine like a guest: documents began moving directly toward her; lawyers asked for her interpretation instead of explaining concepts to her. When a French-language subsidiary schedule came up, Catherine answered in French, then repeated her reasoning in English.During a short break, Robert approached her near the windows. "I owe you an apology.""For what?""I assumed the story about last night had been exaggerated."Catherine looked at him. "People underestimate what they never bother to ask about."Robert nodded. "That is fair."By mid-afternoon, the final agreement was ready. Howard held the signature page but did not sign. He looked at Catherine. "Are you satisfied?"She checked the revised schedules one last time. "I am satisfied that the contract says what everyone in this room claims it says."Harold laughed. "That may be the finest approval I have ever heard."Howard signed; Harold followed. Nearly $1 billion in financing was committed without the hidden trap.The attorneys began gathering papers. Harold approached Catherine. "When you pass the bar, call my office."Catherine smiled. "I'll remember.""I'll double whatever your best offer is.""You haven't even seen my exam results.""I've seen enough."Howard joined them. "I still don't know how to thank you."Catherine closed her portfolio. "You already paid my invoice."Howard smiled for the first time. "That sounds like a lawyer."