For several seconds, he stared at her.
Then his expression hardened.
“You have no idea how many lawyers my family employs.”
Imani felt a chill.
But she didn't move.
“Mr. Sterling, I'm not discussing this without counsel.”
Julian leaned closer.
“You think a restaurant employee can afford to fight people like us?”
A voice came from behind Imani.
“She doesn't have to discuss anything with you.”
Both turned.
Li-hua Chen, the senior server, stood several feet away.
Her face was calm.
But her eyes were hard.
Julian looked irritated.
“This is a private conversation.”
Li-hua shook her head.
“Not in our service corridor.”
For a moment, he seemed stunned.
Then he laughed.
“Unbelievable.”
He turned toward Imani.
“You should think carefully about your future.”
Then he walked away.
For several seconds, Imani remained still.
Li-hua approached.
“Are you all right?”
Imani nodded automatically.
Then shook her head.
“I don't know.”
Li-hua looked toward the corridor.
Then gently took her arm.
“Come sit down.”
They entered the staff room.
Imani lowered herself into a chair.
The older woman poured tea.
Then sat beside her.
For several moments, neither spoke.
Finally, Imani whispered, “I think I made a mistake.”
Li-hua looked toward her.
“What mistake?”
“I shouldn't have said anything.”
The older woman remained quiet.
Imani stared at the table.
“Those people have money, lawyers, companies. They can make my life impossible.”
Li-hua nodded slowly.
“Yes. Powerful people can cause problems.”
Imani's eyes filled.
“Then why did I do it?”
For a moment, Li-hua studied her.
Then she smiled sadly.
“Because you saw something wrong.”
Imani swallowed.
The older woman continued.
“And because you know what happens when everyone decides it is safer to look away.”
For several seconds, Imani couldn't speak.
Then Li-hua placed one hand over hers.
“You need advice. You need records. You need people who will stand beside you.”
Imani nodded.
“But don't tell yourself that being honest was the mistake.”
The younger woman began crying.
Li-hua held her.
And for a few minutes, the twenty-five-thousand-dollar wager, the billionaire, and the enormous corporate transaction stopped mattering.
Imani was simply a frightened young woman whose courage had outpaced her confidence.
She needed someone to remind her she wasn't alone.
The following morning, Imani woke to seventeen missed calls.
Her phone had been on silent because she'd returned home after midnight and collapsed into bed exhausted.
Now it vibrated almost continuously on the bedside table.
She blinked at the screen.
Three calls were from the restaurant manager.
Two came from an unfamiliar law office.
Several were from friends who normally contacted her only once or twice a week.