“The white aircraft behind you.”
The billionaire frowned.
“What about it?”
“Several maintenance records require reconciliation.”
He glanced toward the jet.
“That aircraft is perfect.”
She looked at him.
“Perfect isn't a technical conclusion.”
The financial officer intervened.
“We've already addressed those items.”
The CEO turned toward him.
“Then you should be able to provide the supporting evidence.”
The officer's expression tightened.
“It's an administrative matter.”
“Then it should be straightforward to resolve.”
The billionaire folded his arms.
“Exactly. So why block the money?”
She looked directly into his eyes.
“Because the information we've received doesn't establish that the work described in the summary was performed and documented as represented.”
The billionaire stared.
For a moment, he seemed confused.
Then he turned toward the financial officer.
“Is that true?”
The man hesitated.
“We've been working with the technical team.”
The billionaire's jaw tightened.
“That wasn't my question.”
The CEO remained silent.
She wanted to hear the answer.
The financial officer looked toward the aircraft.
Then back at his employer.
“Some supporting documents are still being collected.”
The billionaire went still.
The hangar suddenly seemed enormous.
The white jet gleamed beneath the sunlight.
The cameras waited.
The monitor remained red.
And the man who'd built a luxury aviation empire from nothing was discovering that his own executives had allowed him to prepare a public celebration before resolving a material closing issue.
He turned toward the CEO.
“What do you need?”
Her expression remained calm.
“An independent technical review of the unresolved records, access to the relevant original documentation, and confirmation of the aircraft's current status by the properly authorized personnel.”
The billionaire swallowed.
“And then?”
“Then we'll assess whether the closing conditions can be satisfied or whether the transaction needs to change.”
He stared.
“Change how?”
“That depends on what the evidence shows.”
The financial officer shifted nervously.
The CEO noticed.
Then asked a question that made his expression change completely.
“Where is the technician who filed the original discrepancy report?”
The officer blinked.
“What technician?”
“The maintenance professional who documented the first inconsistency.”
He glanced toward the younger executive.
The younger man looked away.
The CEO continued.
“I've read the report.”
The financial officer's face tightened.
“Those are internal personnel matters.”
She nodded.
“Then I'd appreciate a clear explanation of the process used to resolve her technical concerns.”