"I'm agreeing with the parts that are commercially reasonable."
The billionaire stared.
The adviser continued.
"We should have reviewed these concerns before presenting the final draft."
Another silence settled over the table.
The owner looked toward the man.
She didn't smile.
But she recognized that he had just done something difficult.
He had challenged the person who paid him.
And in doing so, he had demonstrated more professionalism than anyone else at the table.
The property developer was the first person to leave the table.
He did it abruptly.
One moment, he was sitting with his arms crossed, listening to the financial adviser discuss employee protections. The next, he pushed back his chair and announced that he needed to make a telephone call.
The owner watched him stand.
"Before you leave, there's one more document I'd like you to see."
The developer stopped.
"What document?"
She opened her portfolio again.
He gave an irritated sigh.
"Look, we've already spent enough time discussing preliminary plans."
She removed a printed email.
"This one concerns the restaurant's kitchen."
The developer frowned.
"What about it?"
"A representative associated with the redevelopment project contacted our head chef requesting confidential recipe and purchasing information."
The billionaire turned sharply.
"What?"
The owner continued.
"The caller suggested the restaurant would soon have new management."
The developer shook his head.
"I have no knowledge of that."
She nodded.
"Then perhaps your organization can help identify who made the request."
He stared at her.
She added, "The chef documented the call."
The billionaire looked toward his attorney.
"Was this authorized?"
The attorney shook his head.
"Not by me."
The financial adviser looked equally surprised.
The developer spread his hands.
"People make inquiries during transactions all the time."
The owner nodded.
"That's true."
He appeared relieved.
"But a request for confidential information should go through an authorized channel."
The relief disappeared.
She continued.
"And it shouldn't be presented as though ownership has already changed."
The developer's face reddened.
"You're trying to manufacture a conspiracy out of ordinary business development."
The owner remained calm.
"I'm asking why people associated with your project are behaving as though my consent is a formality."
The developer leaned toward her.