Nothing.
“Called Charles?”
Nothing.
Amara held up the keys.
“You needed proof that I deserved ordinary respect.”
Vanessa shook her head.
“No.”
“Yes.”
“I was protecting inventory.”
Amara looked toward Ethan.
“Did she ask anyone whether I had permission?”
Ethan hesitated.
Vanessa turned toward him.
That look.
Career.
Commissions.
Shifts.
Future.
Ethan swallowed.
Amara watched.
Then he said:
“No.”
Vanessa’s head snapped.
Ethan continued.
“I tried to mention the delivery sheet.”
“After?”
“Yes.”
“But before Charles came.”
“Yes.”
“Did she let you check?”
Ethan looked at Vanessa.
Then Amara.
“No.”
Vanessa’s face hardened.
“You're misrepresenting—”
Charles raised his voice.
“Stop.”
The entire group went silent.
Charles looked toward Amara.
“Ms. Wilson.”
“This is unacceptable.”
“I’m terminating Vanessa effective immediately.”
Amara’s expression did not change.
“No.”
Vanessa looked stunned.
Charles frowned.
“No?”
“No.”
Amara placed the keys into her handbag.
Charles stepped closer.
“I understand you're angry.”
“I am not asking to keep her.”
Vanessa stared.
Amara continued:
“I’m telling you that firing one woman before asking how everyone else learned to watch her do this solves nothing.”
Charles went still.
Behind the glass, several employees stopped pretending not to listen.
Amara pointed toward the showroom.
“How many people watched?”
No answer.
“Ethan tried to speak.”
“Eventually.”
“Tom hesitated.”
“Molly watched through glass.”
“Two salespeople stood inside.”
Charles looked toward them.
Amara continued:
“Nobody came out.”
Vanessa seized the opening.
“So now everyone is responsible?”
Amara looked toward her.
“No.”
“You are responsible for what you did.”
“They are responsible for what they chose not to do.”
Vanessa folded her arms.
“That sounds dramatic.”
Amara smiled faintly.
“So did wiping down my seat.”
Vanessa's face reddened.
Charles said:
“Amara—”
She looked at him.
“This matters beyond my car.”
He understood immediately.
The partnership.
Wilson Meridian had been negotiating with Sterling Automotive Group, the parent company Charles helped operate, for almost six months.
Not for one vehicle.
For a corporate mobility and advanced manufacturing agreement.
Wilson Meridian’s industrial division had developed lightweight composite components for high-performance automotive systems.
Sterling Automotive wanted supply exclusivity.
Estimated first-stage value:
$118 million.
Potential expansion:
More than $300 million.