Those rights weren't gifts.
They were part of the consideration exchanged for the development.
Faisal remembered the conversation clearly.
Khalid stood beside a conference table in Riyadh holding a map of the Newark waterfront.
"Brother," he said, "we cannot ask people to contribute what makes our investment possible and then pretend they don't exist when the investment becomes valuable."
Faisal had smiled.
"You're becoming a philosopher."
Khalid shook his head.
"No. I'm becoming a better businessman."
Years later, those words returned with painful clarity.
Khalid died unexpectedly before seeing Harbor Nine reach its full commercial potential.
Faisal considered the planned acquisition partly an opportunity to consolidate an asset his brother had helped establish.
He imagined improving the terminal, honoring Khalid's legacy, and creating a lasting connection between their family investment group and the American logistics market.
Now he was discovering that the purchase might depend on dismissing a promise Khalid once insisted should never be broken.
Faisal closed the folder.
For several seconds, he sat silently.
Then he looked toward Mariam.
"I want the original agreement."
She nodded.
"And I want to speak with the woman from the restaurant."
The general counsel hesitated.
"Through her attorney?"
Faisal considered the question.
Then answered.
"Yes. Properly."
He looked toward the window.
The city stretched beyond it, indifferent to his embarrassment.
Then he added quietly.
"And I believe I owe her an apology before I ask her anything else."
The meeting between Amara and Crescent Horizon took place four days later.
Evelyn insisted on attending, and Mariam arranged for the conversation to occur in a neutral conference room rather than Faisal's office. The investment group supplied copies of the documents it wished to discuss in advance, allowing the trust's attorney to identify any material it couldn't responsibly address without consulting the other trustees.
Amara appreciated the preparation.
She didn't want another dinner-table confrontation.
She wanted an accurate record of what everyone knew and when they knew it.
Faisal entered without an entourage.
He wore a dark gray suit instead of his traditional white thobe, and his expression was noticeably different from the one he'd displayed at Dar Al-Qamar.
He shook Evelyn's hand.
Then turned toward Amara.
For several seconds, he seemed uncomfortable.
Finally, he said.
"Ms. Bennett, I behaved disrespectfully toward you."
Amara remained quiet.
He continued.
"I treated your language skills as entertainment and assumed your job told me something about your education."
His voice softened.
"That was wrong. I apologize."
Amara studied him.