The ownership schedule showed Carter Meridian Holdings acquiring sixty-two percent of Maison Bellamy’s operating company.
Victor Bellamy retained twenty-three percent and continued as creative chairman.
Senior management and employees held the remainder through existing equity agreements.
Naomi looked directly at Elliot.
“As of midnight, Carter Meridian becomes the controlling owner of this boutique.”
Nobody breathed.
One of the clients actually whispered:
“Oh.”
Elliot stared at the document.
Then at Naomi.
Then at the necklace.
The hierarchy he understood had reorganized itself completely within seconds.
That was when Naomi saw something in his eyes she disliked even more than contempt.
Fear.
Immediate.
Self-protective.
He straightened.
“Ms. Carter, I sincerely apologize.”
Naomi studied him.
“What changed?”
He looked confused.
“I understand the situation now.”
“No.”
She shook her head.
“You understand who I am now.”
The distinction hit the room.
Naomi continued.
“Ten minutes ago, I asked you for courtesy.”
“You considered that negotiable.”
“Now you know I control the company, and suddenly courtesy is available.”
Elliot’s face flushed.
“That’s unfair.”
“Is it?”
“I would never intentionally discriminate against a client.”
Naomi looked toward the showroom.
“Intent is convenient.”
He stared.
“You can carry it alone.”
“The person you humiliate carries the effect.”
Victor lowered his head slightly.
He knew that sentence was also for him.
Naomi closed the acquisition folder.
“I’m not firing you tonight.”
Elliot looked shocked.
So did several people nearby.
Naomi continued.
“Because I did not buy this company to turn a sales floor into a courtroom where one bad interaction destroys someone’s livelihood without process.”
Elliot exhaled.
Too quickly.
Relief.
Naomi noticed.
She was not finished.
“Your access to clients ends tonight pending an independent review.”
The relief disappeared.
“Naomi—”
“Ms. Carter.”
He stopped.
She had never insisted on the title before.
Now she did.
“Human resources will review formal and informal complaints, client retention patterns, prior manager notes, and interview staff.”
Elliot looked toward Victor.
Victor said quietly:
“That is appropriate.”
Elliot’s face tightened.
“You knew about this acquisition.”
“Yes.”
“And you let this happen?”
Victor’s expression changed.
“I did not make you speak to her that way.”
“You could have told me who she was.”
Naomi almost closed her eyes.
There it was.
The whole problem distilled into one sentence.
Victor heard it too.
He looked at Elliot with disappointment that seemed older than the evening.
“Why should I have needed to?”
Elliot did not answer.
Victor continued.
“If knowing she owned the company is what would have made you respectful, then the information would only have hidden the problem.”
Elliot looked around.
Every client had become a witness.
That humiliated him.