Then saw the specification folder scattered across the floor.
His face drained.
He stopped so abruptly one attorney nearly walked into him.
The manager saw him.
Relief.
“Thank God.”
She pointed toward the woman.
“She refuses to leave the vehicle.”
The director did not look at the manager.
He looked at the woman.
Then at his watch.
4:29.
“You arrived early.”
The woman smiled.
“Eleven minutes.”
The manager’s hand slowly lowered.
“What?”
The director stepped forward.
“I’m sorry.”
The manager relaxed slightly.
She assumed he was apologizing to her.
Then he continued.
“To you.”
He was speaking to the woman.
The sales manager’s face changed.
The director looked toward the folder on the floor.
“What happened?”
The billionaire looked at the manager.
“She wanted to demonstrate how the showroom handles an unqualified visitor.”
The director went pale.
The manager laughed nervously.
“No.”
“That is not what happened.”
The director looked toward the junior associate.
“Is that what happened?”
The young man hesitated.
The manager stared at him.
The billionaire noticed.
“Answer him.”
The associate swallowed.
“She came in.”
“I greeted her.”
“She asked about the blue car.”
“The manager took over.”
“She told her it was for qualified clients.”
“Then?”
The associate looked toward the scattered folder.
“She asked to sit in it.”
“Was she aggressive?”
“No.”
“Did she damage anything?”
“No.”
“Did she refuse a proof-of-funds request?”
The associate hesitated.
“We never properly requested one.”
The manager snapped:
“That is not true.”
The associate continued.
“She told us her investment firm.”
The director closed his eyes.
For one second.
Then opened them.
The manager looked between them.
“What is happening?”
The billionaire stepped out of the Bugatti.
Slowly.
She took her feathered wrap from the associate.
Placed it around her shoulders.
Then walked toward the fallen folder.
The director immediately bent to pick it up.
She stopped him with one hand.
“No.”
He froze.
She looked toward the manager.
“Let her.”
The manager stared.
“What?”
“You threw it.”
Silence.
“Pick it up.”
The manager’s face reddened.
“This is absurd.”
The billionaire said nothing.
The director looked toward the manager.
“Pick it up.”
That was when fear appeared.
Real fear.
The manager crouched.
Collected the folder.
One sheet.
Another.
A brochure.
The leather cover.
Her expensive heels clicked against the polished floor as she stood again.