Imani recognized him from a business publication.
His photograph had appeared in an article about Sterling Dynamics' international expansion. The article described him as an ambitious executive expected to become a leading figure in the family business.
She remembered the photograph because she'd recently begun studying corporate translation cases again, hoping to return to her former profession.
But she didn't mention it.
At Kintsugi Sky, she was responsible for guest service.
Julian gave his order without looking directly at her.
Then one of his colleagues began discussing the Aizawa acquisition.
Imani recognized the company name.
Aizawa was well known in specialized manufacturing circles, and her father's work had introduced her to the broader world of Japanese industrial technology.
She listened only as much as was necessary to perform her duties.
Private business conversations weren't invitations for staff to participate, and she had no intention of interfering.
But when she returned with tea, Julian was holding a draft schedule.
He asked his colleague whether the Japanese-language document had been revised.
The colleague nodded.
“Most of it.”
Julian frowned.
“And the voting section?”
“Still with the translation team.”
Julian lowered his voice.
“Make sure the English summary stays as agreed.”
The colleague glanced toward Imani.
She continued placing tea cups carefully.
Then withdrew.
She didn't know what the conversation meant.
Executives discussed translation schedules all the time.
But something about Julian's tone bothered her.
Two days later, she saw him again.
This time, he was accompanied by an American lawyer and a Japanese adviser.
The adviser appeared uneasy.
During service, she asked a question about the relationship between a proposed proxy and the security agreement.
Julian dismissed the concern as technical.
Imani caught only fragments.
But they involved terms she knew well.
Voting authority.
Controlling shares.
Agency.
Execution instructions.
She felt a familiar discomfort.
Years earlier, at her translation firm, she had been pressured to overlook language that expanded a commercial obligation beyond what the client believed it was accepting.
She recognized the pattern of executives minimizing questions they didn't want answered.
Still, suspicion wasn't proof.
She said nothing.
Then, three days before the dinner, Julian returned with Conrad Vale.
They sat near the window of the smaller private room.
Conrad was discussing the need for signatures.
Julian looked irritated.
“Keiko keeps asking questions.”
Conrad smiled.
“Good lawyers do.”
“She's slowing everything down.”
“Then let the businesspeople agree on the commercial terms and leave the lawyers to clean up afterward.”
Julian stared.
“Will that work?”
Conrad took a sip of whiskey.
“It depends on what your father signs.”
Imani entered with a fresh pot of tea.