Single Dad Was Hired as a Temp Driver — Then the CEO Heard Him Talk to Foreign Investors
Chapter 8
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Victoria ignored him. "What would I say?"Daniel thought for a moment. "Not much. Start in Japanese."Victoria almost laughed. "I do not speak Japanese.""You need three sentences.""Three?""Three honest ones are better than 30 polished ones."Watanabe watched with growing interest as Daniel wrote several lines on a legal pad. He did not give Victoria corporate language or carefully protected promises; he gave her something simpler:Thank you for giving us another chance to listen.We confused control with partnership, and that was our mistake.I am not asking you to trust us today. I am asking for the opportunity to earn it.Victoria read the English translation twice. "You want me to admit we were wrong before their entire board?""Yes."Grant exhaled sharply. "That is not how these conversations are handled."Daniel looked at him without hostility. "Maybe that is why this conversation reached an emergency vote."Grant fell silent.Victoria picked up the legal pad. "Teach me."For the next 20 minutes, the most powerful person at Bennett Global sat beside her temporary driver and repeated unfamiliar Japanese phrases until the rhythm stopped sounding memorized. Daniel corrected her gently, never showing impatience; Watanabe occasionally offered a pronunciation adjustment; even Fujimori smiled when Victoria finally delivered all three sentences without stopping."Again," Daniel said."I thought that was right.""It was.""Then why again?""Because this time, do not concentrate on the words. Think about the people hearing them."Victoria looked at him, then tried again. This time, Watanabe nodded.At 10:58, Tanaka contacted Tokyo and requested an emergency video conference before the vote. While they waited for confirmation, a woman from corporate communications entered quickly, carrying a tablet. Her face told Victoria the news before she spoke."We have a problem."Grant stood. "What happened?"She placed the tablet on the table. A financial news alert filled the screen:Sources Say Japanese Investors Prepare to Abandon Major Bennett Global Partnership.Victoria's expression hardened. "How long has that been public?""Six minutes. Two other outlets are already repeating it."Grant reached for his phone. "We issue a denial immediately."Daniel looked at the headline, then toward Watanabe. "Do not deny something that was almost true an hour ago."Victoria turned to him. "Then what do we say?"Daniel's answer came quietly: "The truth, without panic."Before anyone could respond, Tanaka's phone chimed. He read the message and looked up. "Tokyo accepted the call." He paused. "But the board has already seen the story.""Then we do not hide from it," Daniel said.Grant looked at him as if the sentence itself were reckless. "The market is already reacting to a story we have not confirmed!""Then do not confirm it," Daniel replied. "But do not insult people by denying what was true less than an hour ago."Victoria folded her arms. "Give me the statement."Daniel glanced at the communications director. "Negotiations remain active. Bennett Global respects the confidentiality of the process and will not comment on private discussions while both parties continue working in good faith."The communications director typed quickly. "That is all?"