Martin Hale occupied the next seat, his silver hair combed perfectly into place.
Daniel Price leaned back with the confidence of a man accustomed to dominating conversations.
Victor Lang examined a tablet.
Andrew Whitcomb sat beside him, younger than the others and visibly tense.
Patricia announced Eleanor.
Richard looked up.
His first expression was disappointment.
Then confusion.
"Where's the investor?"
Eleanor approached the table.
"I'm Eleanor Brooks."
"I understand that."
Richard looked past her.
"Where is Mr. Brooks?"
"There is no Mr. Brooks attending."
Richard frowned.
"Then who is representing the investment group?"
"I am."
The room became quiet.
Daniel glanced at Martin.
Victor raised his eyebrows.
Richard looked Eleanor up and down.
"You're the representative?"
"Yes."
He gave a short, humorless laugh.
"Fine. Let's get introductions out of the way."
Eleanor stepped toward him and extended her right hand.
That was when everything changed.
"I don't shake hands with your kind."
The words were delivered loudly enough for everyone to hear.
Richard's open contempt made the meaning unmistakable.
Eleanor did not move.
Daniel burst into laughter first.
Martin followed.
Victor chuckled.
Richard waved her hand away.
"Don't make this awkward."
Eleanor lowered her hand.
"I didn't."
Daniel laughed harder.
"Oh, that's good."
Martin pointed at her.
"She has a comeback."
Richard stood abruptly, pushing his chair backward.
"Listen carefully. We manage serious capital here. This isn't a place for symbolic appearances or public-relations theater."
Eleanor's expression remained composed.
"What makes you believe I'm here for public relations?"
Richard shrugged.
"Experience."
"Experience with what?"
He leaned forward.
"People who come into important rooms expecting special treatment."
Eleanor looked toward the other executives.
"Is that what you believe as well?"
Nobody answered.
Daniel studied his fingernails.
Martin continued smiling.
Victor looked at his tablet.
Andrew stared at the table.
Richard slapped his palm against the walnut surface.
"Don't interrogate my team."
Eleanor turned back toward him.
"Then perhaps you should explain your assessment."
"My assessment?"
"Yes. You haven't reviewed my proposal. You haven't asked about my qualifications. You haven't discussed the potential transaction."
Richard narrowed his eyes.
"And?"
"You've already decided I don't belong here."
Richard gave another mocking smile.
"You're observant."
Daniel snorted.
Martin laughed again.
Eleanor opened her portfolio.
She removed a single document and placed it in front of her.
Richard glanced at the page but made no attempt to read it.
"What's that?"
"The meeting authorization."
"Authorization for what?"
"The proposed transaction."
Richard reached for the document.
Then he stopped.
"Before we go any further, I want to know something."
Eleanor waited.
"Did somebody send you here to test us?"
The question was so close to the truth that Eleanor almost smiled.
"Why would you ask that?"
"Because this is ridiculous."
"In what way?"
Richard spread his hands.
"We were expecting someone with real authority."
Eleanor looked at him steadily.
"And you have concluded that I don't have any."
"Exactly."
She nodded once.
"That's useful to know."
Richard's face tightened.
"You seem to have a problem understanding your position."
He stood completely upright.
Then he pointed toward the door.
"Maybe you'd be more comfortable downstairs."
Daniel leaned toward Martin.
"With the reception staff."
The two men laughed.
Eleanor felt heat rise in her chest.
The insult was not surprising.
What surprised her was the ease with which it had been delivered.
No hesitation.
No embarrassment.
No attempt to disguise it as a misunderstanding.
These men had been comfortable enough to reveal themselves within minutes.
Eleanor remembered her father's face at the kitchen table.
She remembered Maya in the elevator.
She remembered every person whose future depended on leaders who could behave this way behind closed doors.
Then she closed her portfolio.
"Mr. Caldwell, I came here prepared to discuss an investment."
Richard crossed his arms.
"Then discuss it."
"But before I do, I want to ask you a question."
His eyes narrowed.
"Make it quick."
"If a highly qualified employee came into this room and you assumed they were incapable because of their appearance, would you consider that responsible leadership?"
Martin sighed dramatically.
"Oh, here we go."
Richard stared at her.
"We don't need a lecture."
"It's a question."
"And I'm not interested."
"Why?"
"Because I don't answer to you."
Eleanor looked down at her watch.
8:37.
Seven minutes had passed.
She had learned enough.
Almost.
"Then let's discuss your company's performance."
Richard appeared relieved.
"Finally."
Eleanor removed a second page from her portfolio.
"Your logistics division has missed its operating targets for three consecutive quarters."
Richard frowned.
"Those numbers aren't public."
"They are available to potential transaction partners under confidentiality arrangements."