At first, the discussion concerned ordinary scheduling issues.
Then he mentioned the independent committee.
The chief financial officer assured him that the review should not delay the signing.
The billionaire expressed irritation.
He believed the committee had been given too much freedom to request documents.
One executive suggested that the concerns could be resolved through additional disclosures.
The billionaire dismissed the idea.
“We are not renegotiating a transaction because a few auditors are nervous,” he said in Korean.
The waitress was placing a bowl of rice beside one guest when she heard the statement.
She kept her expression neutral.
The chief financial officer leaned forward.
“The technical annex has already been certified.”
“And the American analyst?”
“Her credibility has been addressed.”
The billionaire gave a satisfied nod.
The waitress felt her fingers tighten around the serving tray.
The chief financial officer continued.
“There is still a question about the source files.”
“What question?”
“The independent committee wants direct access to the original temperature records.”
The billionaire frowned.
“Why?”
“They are concerned that the corrected reports may not be sufficient.”
The billionaire glanced toward the door.
Then he lowered his voice.
“Those originals were supposed to remain with the technical team.”
The waitress carefully arranged a small bowl of kimchi beside a plate.
She told herself not to react.
The chief financial officer nodded.
“We're handling it.”
The billionaire leaned back.
“Make sure you do. I don't want another discussion about that warehouse tomorrow.”
The waitress moved away.
She had heard enough to feel alarmed, but not enough to draw a conclusion.
The conversation might concern ordinary records management.
It might concern legitimate commercial confidentiality.
Or it might relate directly to the documents she had been trying to authenticate.
She would not know without corroboration.
What troubled her most was the ease with which the billionaire dismissed the independent committee's concerns.
He spoke as though the requested review were an inconvenience rather than a necessary safeguard.
The dinner continued.
The first dishes arrived.
Steam rose from the sizzling galbi as servers placed it in the center of the table.
The room filled with the aroma of soy sauce, grilled meat, and garlic.
Bowls of japchae and bulgogi followed.
The guests began eating.
The billionaire appeared to relax.
He praised the grilled beef and asked for more whisky.