One of the other businessmen followed.
The billionaire stared after them.
Then he turned back toward the daughter.
For a moment, his voice became quiet.
โYou planned this.โ
She considered the accusation.
Then answered.
โI investigated a transaction involving a company I control.โ
He shook his head.
โYou arranged this dinner confrontation.โ
โI didn't arrange your words.โ
His expression tightened.
The daughter continued.
โI didn't tell you to mock me. I didn't tell you to offer me money. And I certainly didn't tell you to discuss forging a signature.โ
The billionaire looked toward the five thousand dollars.
For the first time, the stack seemed embarrassingly small.
The daughter gently pushed it back toward him.
โPlease take your money.โ
He stared.
She looked toward the other businessmen.
Then spoke quietly.
โMy father taught me that money is useful only when you understand what it cannot purchase.โ
Nobody answered.
She continued.
โYou can purchase a building.โ
She glanced toward the chandelier.
โYou can purchase expensive furniture, fine champagne, and a private dining room.โ
Then she looked directly at the billionaire.
โBut you cannot purchase a person's dignity simply because you believe they need the money.โ
The billionaire lowered his eyes.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then his phone rang.
This time, he answered.
The caller was his senior transaction adviser.
The daughter watched his face.
At first, he appeared irritated.
Then confused.
Then frightened.
He asked one short question.
โWhat do you mean it won't close?โ
He listened.
His expression hardened.
He stood abruptly, turning away from the table.
The conversation lasted less than a minute.
When he returned, he looked as though several years had been added to his age.
The daughter did not ask what happened.
She already knew that the bank had suspended the proposed closing pending satisfactory authentication and resolution of the approval questions.
That did not establish guilt.
It did not automatically resolve every corporate dispute.
But it meant the attempted transaction would not be completed that night.
The billionaire looked toward the daughter.
His voice was low.
โYou've destroyed months of work.โ
She studied him.
โThen I suggest you explain why so much work depended on a signature I never gave.โ
He stared.
For several seconds, there was nothing but the soft sound of music from the restaurant's main dining room.
Then the billionaire reached for his jacket.
โI'll speak through my attorneys.โ
The daughter nodded.
โThat's appropriate.โ
He moved toward the exit.
But before leaving, he looked back.