"She Can't Speak Chinese!" Millionaire Laughed — Then the Black Waitress Spoke
Chapter 13
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Richard picked up the black presentation folder. "Grace Chen is a CFO. CFOs are paid to worry.""She helped delay the first term sheet."Richard stopped. That irritated him more than he wanted Michael to see. "On what basis?""Some community memorandum got circulated through their review team. Anonymous."Richard stared at him. "Anonymous? Essentially?""Then why are we discussing it?""Because Chen Meridian is discussing it."Richard tossed the folder onto the table. "People send complaints about every major development in this city. Half the time they don't understand the project, the other half they want leverage."Michael's expression remained neutral. "Maybe.""Not maybe." Richard walked toward the sideboard and poured sparkling water into a glass. "We followed the process."Michael glanced toward a thick folder near the edge of the table. It was labeled: Pier 17: Tenant Relocation. "You read those?"Richard followed his eyes. "I've read the summaries.""That's not what I asked."Richard took a drink; there was no answer.Michael leaned back. "You know what worries me?""Apparently everything.""You think tonight is about convincing Daniel you're the smartest man at dinner."Richard smiled faintly. "That's because you spent 20 years watching me close deals.""And I spent 20 years watching you mistake winning the room for solving the problem."The smile disappeared. For a moment, the only sound was rain against the glass. Richard set down his drink. "You own a piece of this company because I know how to win rooms, and I would like that piece to remain worth something."Richard looked at him; Michael did not look away. They had known each other too long for intimidation to work between them.Finally, Richard picked up the relocation folder. He opened it. The first page contained a summary of tenant outreach; the next listed meetings, notices, translation vendors, and compliance dates. Richard skimmed quickly.His phone buzzed: a message from his assistant. Harbor & Pine confirmed. Private table ready at 7:00.Richard closed the folder.Michael stared at him. "That's it?""I have a dinner to prepare for.""Richard, we have lawyers, we have consultants, we have a translation vendor. If somebody used the wrong phrase in a notice, they can fix the phrase."Michael's voice lowered. "What if it isn't just a phrase?"Richard slid the folder aside. "Then we'll deal with it when somebody shows me an actual problem."The folder stopped near the edge of the conference table. A yellow tab protruded from one section: Mandarin Relocation Materials. Richard never opened it. Instead, he buttoned his jacket."Tonight we close."Michael rubbed a hand over his face. "You can't force Chen Meridian to sign."