The young executive leaned toward him.
The chairwoman watched both men.
She wasn't interested in humiliating anyone.
She wanted to know who understood the document.
And who had been kept in the dark.
After nearly a minute, the senior attorney spoke.
"This language is materially different."
The billionaire's jaw tightened.
"It's still a draft."
The attorney hesitated.
"The document circulated to our team was labeled for execution."
The chairwoman nodded.
"Exactly."
The billionaire turned toward his attorney.
"Are you accusing my staff of misconduct?"
The attorney remained composed.
"I'm saying the versions need to be reconciled before anyone can responsibly sign."
The billionaire stared.
Then looked back at the chairwoman.
"You arranged this dinner to embarrass me."
She shook her head.
"No."
"Then why are you showing confidential documents in front of my executives?"
"Because they're members of your negotiating team."
She paused.
"And because the agreement concerns their responsibilities as much as yours."
The billionaire leaned back.
His expression hardened.
"You've made your position clear."
The chairwoman nodded.
"Not quite."
She turned toward the youngest executive.
"May I ask you something?"
He straightened.
"Of course."
"Did you know the revised agreement included an option to acquire a controlling position in my company?"
The man hesitated.
Then answered.
"No."
The billionaire turned toward him.
"Be careful."
The chairwoman looked directly at the hotel chairman.
"Please don't instruct him how to answer."
The younger man swallowed.
Then continued.
"My division reviewed the licensing and hotel development arrangements. We were not responsible for the equity appendix."
The senior attorney nodded.
"That is consistent with my understanding."
The chairwoman looked toward the third businessman.
He was an older operations executive who had remained almost completely silent.
"Did your team request access to employee compensation records?"
The man frowned.
"Not through operations."
"Did you authorize an external consultancy to request those records?"
He shook his head.
"No."
The billionaire's expression became dangerous.
"Enough."
The chairwoman closed the folder.
The sudden movement made everyone look at her.
She stood completely still.
Then said quietly, "That's what I was hoping you'd say."
The billionaire frowned.
"What?"
"Because it confirms that at least two members of your senior team were unaware of requests being made in your organization's name."
She looked toward the attorney.
"I would recommend that your company preserve all relevant correspondence."
The attorney nodded immediately.
"Understood."
The billionaire glared at him.
Then stood.
"This meeting is over."
The chairwoman stepped aside.
"Of course."
He looked toward the table.
The untouched dishes.
The expensive glasses.
The perfect linen.
Everything he had expected to enjoy.
He pointed toward the meal.
"Send the bill to my office."
The chairwoman nodded.
"The restaurant will provide an itemized invoice."
He looked at her.
"And don't expect another offer."