Richard's jaw tightened.
“Now you're putting words in my mouth.”
Naomi shook her head.
“No, sir. I'm repeating the meaning of the words you chose.”
Aiko lowered her eyes briefly, hiding a smile.
Richard glanced toward Daniel, the restaurant manager.
“Are you going to allow your employee to lecture a customer?”
Daniel approached.
“Mr. Whitmore, perhaps we should—”
“No,” Richard snapped. “I want an answer.”
Daniel looked at Naomi.
He saw the tension in her shoulders.
He saw the checkbook lying open beside Richard's plate.
And he understood that something had gone terribly wrong.
“Naomi,” he said gently, “would you mind stepping away for a moment?”
Richard smirked.
“There. Problem solved.”
But Kenji raised his hand.
“Please don't send her away.”
Daniel stopped.
Kenji looked directly at Naomi.
“I would like to continue speaking with her.”
Richard laughed nervously.
“Kenji, we have a major business agreement to finalize.”
Kenji's expression grew serious.
“Yes,” he said.
“We do.”
For the first time that evening, Richard began to feel afraid.
Not because of the waitress.
Not because of the applause.
But because of the expression on Kenji Takamura's face.
Richard had spent nearly eighteen months pursuing the Takamura family's investment.
The proposed Harbor Point development required hundreds of millions of dollars in financing.
Without the Japanese investment group, Richard's company would struggle to proceed.
He had already borrowed heavily against several properties.
He had promised returns to investors.
He had announced preliminary plans to the press.
And he had privately assured his board that the Takamura agreement was practically guaranteed.
The dinner was supposed to be a celebration.
Instead, it was becoming a disaster.
Richard straightened his jacket.
“Kenji, let's focus on business.”
Kenji folded his hands.
“Business is exactly what concerns me.”
Aiko opened the leather folder beside her.
“Before we proceed, there are several matters we need to discuss.”
Richard forced a smile.
“Of course.”
Aiko turned toward Naomi.
“Miss Carter, are you familiar with Harbor Point?”
Naomi hesitated.
“Yes.”
“May I ask how?”
“My mother taught there for many years. I grew up nearby.”
Aiko nodded slowly.
“Then perhaps you can help us understand something.”
Richard interrupted.
“Now hold on. She's a waitress, not a real-estate consultant.”
Aiko looked directly at him.
“She is also a trained researcher in international negotiations.”
Richard opened his mouth.
Aiko continued.
“And she knows the community affected by the project.”
Kenji added, “Both perspectives may be useful.”
Richard fell silent.
Aiko turned back to Naomi.
“Our preliminary documents describe Harbor Point as an underutilized commercial district.”
Naomi frowned.
“That's not how I would describe it.”
“Why not?”
“Because thousands of people live there.”
Aiko looked down at the folder.
“Our materials emphasize vacant properties and aging infrastructure.”
“There are vacant buildings,” Naomi acknowledged. “But there are also apartment complexes, small businesses, community centers, and families who've lived there for generations.”
Kenji leaned forward.
“Would the project displace residents?”
Naomi looked uncomfortable.
“I haven't reviewed your plans, sir. I wouldn't want to speculate.”
Aiko nodded appreciatively.
“That's a responsible answer.”
Richard laughed.
“See? She doesn't know anything about the actual project.”
Naomi turned toward him.
“I know the neighborhood.”
Richard rolled his eyes.
“Everyone knows a neighborhood.”
Naomi continued.
“I know that the Harbor Point Community Center provides after-school programs for more than two hundred children. I know the local clinic serves elderly residents who cannot easily travel across the city. I know that the apartment buildings on Mercer Street include families whose rents are protected under existing agreements.”
Aiko began taking notes.
Richard's expression darkened.
Naomi spoke more quietly.
“And I know that my mother's former students still live there.”
Kenji studied her.
“Your mother was a teacher?”
“For thirty-one years.”
“Is she retired?”
Naomi paused.
“She had a stroke.”
Kenji's expression softened.
“I'm sorry.”
“Thank you.”
Richard shifted impatiently.
“This is touching, but we're here to discuss a development project.”
Aiko closed the folder.
“Exactly.”
She looked at him.
“And I'm beginning to wonder whether the information we've received is complete.”
Richard's smile disappeared.
“What are you implying?”
Aiko spoke carefully.
“I'm saying our investment committee requested a comprehensive social-impact assessment.”
“You received one.”
“We received a summary.”
Richard leaned back.
“A very thorough summary.”
Kenji turned to Hiroshi.
“Did the documents include a full relocation analysis?”
Hiroshi checked his tablet.
“Not in the materials provided to us.”
Richard waved dismissively.
“Those details are being handled.”
Aiko's voice became firmer.
“By whom?”
“Our legal department.”
“When will the analysis be completed?”
Richard hesitated.
“Soon.”
Aiko stared at him.
“How soon?”