Then sent the image to her investment team with a short message.
Please reconcile this with the approved housing schedule.
She looked toward another display.
This one described the relocation of existing waterfront businesses.
The wording suggested all affected tenants had already accepted arrangements for relocation or compensation.
The CEO frowned again.
She remembered receiving a letter several weeks earlier from a neighborhood business association.
The letter complained that certain tenants had not received sufficient information about the redevelopment.
At the time, the Harrington team assured her those concerns had been addressed.
Now she wondered.
She photographed the public statement.
Sent another message.
Then continued walking.
She had arrived at the gala carrying questions.
The exhibition had given her more.
The blonde hostess first noticed the CEO near the champagne display.
She had been speaking with three wealthy friends.
All white American women in their twenties and early thirties, dressed in elaborate evening gowns.
One wore silver.
Another pale pink.
The third wore a fitted black dress with diamond straps.
They were discussing the guest list.
The hostess complained that the registration team had allowed several people to enter without her personal approval.
Her friend laughed.
"Maybe they're donors."
The hostess rolled her eyes.
"Everyone claims to be a donor."
Then she noticed the Black woman in emerald green.
For several seconds, she stared.
The gown was magnificent.
Its deep jewel tone contrasted beautifully against the woman's rich skin.
The diamonds around her neck appeared extraordinary.
And something about her posture commanded attention without any visible effort.
The hostess felt a familiar irritation.
She did not recognize the woman.
Yet several guests were turning to look at her.
The hostess leaned toward her friends.
"Who is that?"
One followed her gaze.
"The woman in green?"
"Obviously."
The friend shrugged.
"No idea."
Another smiled.
"She's beautiful."
The hostess's expression tightened.
"Her dress is trying too hard."
Her friends exchanged glances.
The third woman looked toward the necklace.
"Those stones look real."
The hostess laughed.
"Please. Half the people here wear rented jewelry."
She lifted her champagne.
Then watched the Black woman greet an older investment banker.
The banker smiled warmly.
He appeared to know her.
The hostess frowned.
"She isn't on my guest list."
One friend shrugged.
"Maybe she's someone's guest."
The hostess's lips tightened.
"Then someone should have told me."
She called an event assistant over.
A young white American woman wearing a black formal uniform approached nervously.
"Yes, ma'am?"
The hostess pointed toward the CEO.
"Who invited her?"
The assistant looked across the ballroom.
"I'm not sure."
The hostess's expression hardened.
"Find out."
The assistant nodded.
"Of course."
She walked toward the registration desk.
The hostess watched her leave.
Then turned toward her friends.
"I swear, the staff has been hopeless tonight."
Several minutes passed.
The assistant returned.
Her expression seemed uncomfortable.
"Ma'am, she's on the approved guest list."
The hostess frowned.