They had asked Alexander's company for clarification twice.
Both times, he had promised to provide the documents later.
“Something doesn't feel right,” Lin Mei admitted. “But we need evidence, not intuition.”
Victoria nodded.
“Then you should commission an independent review.”
“We intend to.”
Lin Mei took out a business card.
“Our legal team may need someone who understands both the financial terminology and the Chinese-language correspondence. Would you consider a temporary consulting assignment?”
Victoria looked at the card.
“I would need to review the terms and make sure there is no conflict with my current employment.”
“Of course.”
“And I won't make claims about documents I haven't examined.”
Lin Mei smiled.
“That is precisely why I am asking you.”
The following morning, Victoria contacted her former colleague, Daniel Foster, who now worked as an independent financial consultant.
She described the situation without sharing confidential information.
Daniel listened carefully.
“If the valuation is wrong, the question isn't just whether the investors lose money,” he said. “The question is who benefits from the inflated figure.”
Victoria stared at the notes she had made the night before.
That was the question she had been trying not to ask.
She agreed to help the investors' legal team review the available documentation.
And when she returned to the restaurant that evening, she found a message from the general manager.
Alexander Pierce had called.
He wanted to speak with her.
Immediately.
Chapter 4: The Millionaire's Warning
Alexander was waiting in a private office when Victoria arrived.
He did not offer her a seat.
“You embarrassed me last night.”
Victoria closed the door behind her.
“I answered your question.”
“You questioned my business in front of my investors.”
“I raised a concern about a financial document. I didn't accuse you of anything.”
“Do you understand how much damage you could cause by spreading rumors?”
“I haven't spread any rumors.”
Alexander walked toward the window.
“You have no idea how business works at this level.”
Victoria said nothing.
He turned around.
“I can make a phone call and have you removed from this restaurant. I can make sure nobody in this city hires you again.”
Victoria felt anger rise in her chest, but she kept her voice steady.
“Are you threatening me because I spoke Mandarin?”
“I'm telling you to stay out of matters you don't understand.”
“Then you should have chosen a different challenge.”
Alexander stared at her.
She continued.
“You offered me one hundred thousand dollars to prove that I could speak Chinese. I did. You didn't ask me to agree with you, protect your reputation, or pretend not to notice something unusual.”
“You think you're clever.”
“No. I think you should let the independent reviewers do their work.”
Alexander stepped closer.
“Listen carefully. The investors are important people. They don't need a waitress interfering with a transaction worth hundreds of millions of dollars.”
Victoria looked at him.
“They asked me for help. I agreed to provide professional services under a formal arrangement. If you have concerns about that, you can raise them with their legal team.”
His face darkened.
“So you've already accepted their offer?”
“I've agreed to discuss it.”
He laughed bitterly.
“You think they're going to give you a career because you spoke a few sentences in Mandarin?”
“No. I think they'll evaluate my work.”
Alexander grabbed a folder from his desk and tossed it onto the table.
“Fine. Look at this.”
Victoria glanced at the cover.
It was a summary of the waterfront development's projected returns.
“I want you to tell me exactly what you think is wrong with it,” he said. “Right now.”
Victoria didn't touch the folder.
“I can't review financial information responsibly under these circumstances. If you want an independent assessment, hire an independent reviewer.”