Then he laughed so loudly that two men near the windows joined in automatically.
“Absolutely not.”
He slapped the money again.
“Twenty-five thousand dollars.”
Imani opened the agreement.
The Japanese text had been printed in a formal legal style, using traditional corporate terminology that would be unfamiliar to many people who spoke conversational Japanese.
She examined the title.
Then turned to page twenty.
The room became quiet enough that she could hear the soft hum of the ventilation system.
Walter folded his arms.
“Whenever you're ready.”
Imani looked at the first paragraph.
Then she began reading.
「第二十頁、第七条。議決権行使に関する委任および担保権の実行条件。」
Page twenty, Clause Seven. Delegation of voting authority and conditions concerning enforcement of security rights.
A man near the window stopped smiling.
Imani continued.
Her pronunciation was precise, her rhythm natural, and her understanding unmistakable.
「本契約の締結に伴い、別紙に定める議決権行使権限は、指定された代理人に委任されるものとする。」
Upon execution of this agreement, the voting authority described in the attached schedule shall be delegated to the designated agent.
Sterling leaned forward.
Imani's eyes moved down the page.
Then she stopped.
For several seconds, she studied one line.
Julian spoke abruptly.
“That's enough.”
She looked up.
“I'm not finished.”
His expression hardened.
“The wager was to read the page. You've demonstrated that you can.”
Walter stared at his son.
“What's gotten into you?”
Julian gave a short laugh.
“Nothing. We have an expensive deal to close.”
Imani looked back toward the text.
Then continued.
「指定代理人はノース・キー・ストラテジック・パートナーズとする。」
The designated agent shall be North Quay Strategic Partners.
Walter frowned.
He glanced toward Julian.
“North Quay?”
His son looked away.
Imani continued, now translating rather than simply reading.
“Chairman Sterling, this clause concerns your family's controlling voting interest in Sterling Dynamics Holdings.”
Walter's expression changed.
“What?”
She pointed toward the document.
“The proposed Japanese-language attachment appoints North Quay Strategic Partners to exercise those votes under specified conditions connected to the acquisition financing.”
The billionaire frowned.
“That has nothing to do with the Japanese purchase.”
“Not according to your English executive summary,” Imani answered.
She turned the page slightly.
“But this operative attachment says otherwise.”
Julian stepped forward.
“Dad, she's misinterpreting the document.”
Imani looked toward him.
“Then perhaps you can explain the next sentence.”