At precisely 3:15 p.m., the conference room filled again.
This time, the atmosphere was different.
Richard Bennett entered with two additional attorneys. Caroline carried a thick folder containing the revised acquisition documents.
Andrew sat beside Lauren.
Neither spoke.
Evelyn returned to her chair at the head of the table.
"Shall we continue?"
Richard nodded.
"Before we do, I would like to address the outstanding financial disclosures."
Andrew sighed.
"Again?"
"Yes," Richard replied.
Caroline displayed a spreadsheet.
"The independent review has identified several inconsistencies involving advisory fees, related-party payments, and the buyer's projected cash position."
Andrew frowned.
"Those are accounting adjustments."
"Some may be," Caroline answered. "However, we need supporting documentation before the transaction can proceed."
Lauren leaned forward.
"How long will that take?"
"That depends on the completeness of the records."
Andrew looked at his fiancée.
"Can you send everything today?"
Lauren nodded quickly.
"Absolutely."
Evelyn watched them.
"Good. Then we should be able to resolve the issue."
Richard turned to the next page.
"There is another matter. The financing agreement contains a representation concerning the buyer's ability to meet its obligations after closing."
Andrew nodded.
"That's standard."
"Yes. But the latest debt schedule indicates that the company may have substantially less available liquidity than originally disclosed."
Andrew's expression tightened.
"That's not accurate."
Caroline placed another document on the screen.
"These are the figures submitted by your own finance department."
Andrew looked at them.
His face became pale.
Lauren leaned toward him.
"What is it?"
He did not answer.
Richard continued.
"According to this report, your company has outstanding obligations totaling approximately twenty-seven million dollars, excluding contingent liabilities."
Andrew swallowed.
"Those liabilities are manageable."
"Perhaps. But they must be properly disclosed."
"We've disclosed everything."
Caroline opened another document.
"Then perhaps you can explain the transfer of funds to Whitmore Capital Advisory."
Lauren went completely still.
Andrew slowly turned toward her.
"What transfer?"
Lauren looked at the screen.
"It's a normal payment."
"How much?" Andrew asked.
She hesitated.
"Andrew, we can discuss that later."
"How much?"
"Approximately eight hundred and fifty thousand dollars."
Andrew stared at her.
"You told me the company had received three hundred thousand."
"That was the initial payment."
"What happened to the rest?"
Lauren lowered her voice.
"Can we not do this here?"
Andrew stood abruptly.
"This is exactly where we should do it!"
Richard raised a hand.
"Mr. Carter, please."
Evelyn remained seated.
"Andrew, sit down."
He turned toward his mother.
"Did you know about this?"
"I learned about it during today's review."
"You knew she was receiving money?"
"I knew the advisory agreement existed. I did not know the full extent of the payments."
Lauren looked furious.
"This is ridiculous. The company received professional services. We have a contract."
"Then provide the records," Evelyn replied.
Lauren shook her head.
"You're trying to destroy my reputation."
"No. I'm trying to establish whether the transaction is financially sound."
Andrew returned to his chair.
His hands were trembling slightly.
Evelyn looked at him.
"Do you understand why these questions matter?"
He did not answer.
She continued.
"When I started my first company, I had enough money to pay the rent for one month. I knew what it meant to risk everything. That's why I never signed an agreement without understanding every line."
Andrew stared at the documents.
"You never told me any of this."
"I tried."
"When?"
"Many times."
He looked up.
Evelyn's voice softened.
"You were too busy telling me that business was complicated and I wouldn't understand."
Andrew's eyes shifted toward the table.
The silence became uncomfortable.
Richard finally spoke.
"We can continue the commercial review, but the current agreement cannot be executed today."
Lauren immediately stood.
"What?"
"Not until the outstanding disclosures are resolved."
"You're postponing a $112 million transaction over paperwork?"
Caroline answered firmly.
"Over material financial information."
Andrew looked toward Richard.
"Is there any way to keep the deal alive?"
Richard glanced at Evelyn.
"That decision ultimately depends on the controlling seller."
Everyone turned toward her.
Evelyn closed her folder.
"The deal remains possible."
Andrew exhaled.
"But only if the financial disclosures are complete, the employee protections remain in place, and the revised terms are acceptable to our board."
Lauren looked at her.
"And if they're not?"
Evelyn met her gaze.
"Then I will not sign."
For the first time, Lauren seemed genuinely frightened.
Because she was beginning to understand that the acquisition was not merely a business opportunity.
It was a lifeline.
And Evelyn Carter was holding it.