The meeting continued.
Employees asked about jobs.
Benefits.
Training.
Aircraft assignments.
And the future of the company.
Some questions couldn't be answered immediately.
The billionaire acknowledged that.
By the time the meeting ended, he looked exhausted.
But something had changed.
For the first time in years, he had stood in front of ordinary employees and listened without treating their questions as challenges to his authority.
The revised closing took place on a bright Thursday afternoon.
The same enormous hangar had been prepared.
The same white private jet with the thin navy stripe stood beneath the steel rafters.
Its boarding stairs were extended.
The polished floor reflected the aircraft's long fuselage.
And the enormous glass windows allowed sunlight to flood the building.
But there were differences.
There was no crowd of reporters waiting for a theatrical announcement.
No executives laughing beside the signing table.
No unsupported declaration that the entire eight-hundred-million-dollar transaction had already been completed.
Instead, a small group of authorized representatives gathered with the necessary documents.
The final technical confirmations had been received for the assets included in the initial closing.
The independent reviewers had provided their reports.
The parties' legal teams confirmed the relevant conditions.
And the financing institutions were prepared to process the agreed initial transfer.
The CEO arrived wearing an elegant charcoal-gray tailored suit.
Her long black hair fell neatly over her shoulders.
She carried a slim portfolio.
The billionaire was waiting beside the signing table.
When he saw her, he approached.
For a moment, they stood facing one another.
The memory of their first encounter seemed to occupy the space between them.
Then he extended his hand.
“Welcome back.”
She looked at him.
Then shook it.
“Thank you.”
He smiled faintly.
“I owe you a better reception than last time.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“That wouldn't be difficult.”
For a moment, he looked surprised.
Then he laughed.
Not cruelly.
Not at her expense.
A genuine laugh.
She smiled slightly.
They walked toward the table.
The documents were reviewed.
The responsible representatives confirmed their approvals.
And when the closing agent indicated that the agreed conditions had been satisfied, the CEO authorized the initial payment.
The transaction system updated.
This time, there was no theatrical countdown.
No dramatic flashing lights.
The confirmation appeared clearly on the closing platform.
INITIAL CLOSING — CONFIRMED