He complained about employee benefits and historic preservation requirements.
He said the founder had allowed sentiment to interfere with financial decisions.
The daughter felt anger rising.
She kept her expression neutral.
Then the developer asked whether the proposed sale would affect staff housing.
The billionaire shrugged.
“That's the buyer's problem.”
The daughter looked toward the table.
She remembered the employee housing program her father had established years earlier.
Some families had lived in those residences for decades.
The arrangements were not gifts.
They were part of employment agreements and long-standing commitments.
Disposing of the property without proper review could place those families in an extremely uncertain position.
The daughter carefully set a plate before another guest.
Her hands remained steady.
But she made a mental note of the conversation.
At eight forty-five, the billionaire received a message.
He glanced at his phone.
His expression tightened.
The legal consultant leaned toward him.
They exchanged a few urgent words in Thai.
The daughter was standing nearby.
She heard the consultant say the bank had requested confirmation from the controlling shareholder.
The billionaire looked irritated.
“Then send it.”
The consultant hesitated.
“They want direct verification.”
The billionaire's jaw tightened.
“Handle it.”
The daughter moved away.
The bank had done what counsel requested.
Good.
But the billionaire was beginning to feel the pressure.
And when arrogant men felt their control slipping, they sometimes became careless.
At nine fifteen, he ordered another bottle of champagne.
The daughter returned with it.
The property developer was speaking quietly about the sale deadline.
The billionaire raised one hand.
“Enough business.”
He smiled broadly.
“We came here to celebrate.”
Several men laughed.
Then he looked toward the waitress.
“Come here.”
She approached.
“Sir?”
He leaned back.
“What's your name?”
She gave the short professional name used on her service badge.
It was not false, but it omitted the family name through which the billionaire might recognize her.
He repeated it.
Then smiled.
“Interesting.”
He looked toward her outfit.
“Do you speak Thai?”
She paused briefly.
Then answered politely.
“I work with guests from many backgrounds, sir.”
He laughed.
“That's not what I asked.”
She lowered her eyes.
“Would you like another drink?”
The billionaire looked delighted.
He turned toward the table.
“Gentlemen, watch this.”
Then he reached inside his jacket.
He removed a thick stack of hundred-dollar bills and placed it on the white tablecloth.
The daughter recognized the gesture before he spoke.
It was the kind of performance her father had warned her about.