The billionaire looked toward the blue car.
“No.”
Then back.
“You protect your idea of who deserves access to it.”
The manager’s eyes hardened.
“You know nothing about what we deal with.”
“I know exactly what you deal with.”
“You’ve owned dealerships?”
“Several.”
The manager froze.
The billionaire continued.
“Luxury hotels.”
“Restaurants.”
Private aviation terminals.”
“Retail.”
“Financial firms.”
She walked slowly toward the manager.
“The details change.”
“The pattern rarely does.”
The manager shook her head.
“This is about race now?”
The billionaire’s expression did not change.
“I didn't say that.”
“You're implying it.”
“I’m describing behavior.”
“I treat everyone the same.”
The junior associate looked uncomfortable.
The billionaire noticed.
“Do you?”
The manager turned toward him.
He looked away.
The billionaire continued.
“Good.”
“Then the audit should reassure you.”
“Audit?”
The director looked toward her.
That part had not been discussed.
The billionaire smiled faintly.
“Yes.”
She turned toward one attorney.
“Customer access complaints.”
“Test-drive denials.”
“Allocation screening.”
“Security escalation.”
“Employee discipline.”
“Last thirty-six months.”
The attorney nodded.
The manager stared.
“You can’t investigate me because of one misunderstanding.”
The billionaire looked toward her.
“I can investigate the business I purchased because I want to know how it operates.”
The distinction silenced everyone.
Then the woman looked toward the junior associate.
“Were you fired?”
He glanced toward the manager.
Then back.
“I don't know.”
The billionaire smiled.
“You are not.”
The manager’s face tightened.
The woman continued.
“In fact, tomorrow morning I want you in the conference room at nine.”
The associate blinked.
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“You tried to stop a situation you thought was wrong when disagreeing could cost you your job.”
She paused.
“I want to know what else employees here have stopped saying.”
The director looked toward him.
The young man nodded slowly.
“Okay.”
The manager laughed bitterly.
“So he gets rewarded for undermining me.”
The billionaire looked toward her.
“He gets heard.”
“That is different.”
The manager’s confidence returned slightly.
“Then hear me.”
The billionaire nodded.
“Go ahead.”
The manager took a breath.
“Luxury customers expect exclusivity.”
“Yes.”
“Brand access requires filtering.”
“Yes.”
“We receive hundreds of unserious inquiries.”
“Yes.”
“People touch cars they cannot afford.”
“Yes.”
“People lie.”
“Yes.”
“Then what exactly was I supposed to do?”
The billionaire answered without hesitation.
“Ask.”
The manager stared.
“Ask what?”