“That is why I pay you too much.”
“You don't.”
He almost smiled.
“What about the vote?”
“We proceed.”
“Even with the filing?”
“Especially.”
He frowned.
“Risky.”
She looked at him.
“They want delay.”
“Why give it?”
Her counsel nodded.
“Understood.”
As she stood, he said:
“One more thing.”
“What?”
“Your father’s original estate attorney is onboard.”
She stopped.
“Where?”
“Row six.”
“Why?”
“He was invited by Meridian.”
That was wrong.
Very wrong.
Her father’s estate attorney had retired two years earlier.
Had avoided public involvement since.
Why would Meridian bring him?
Unless he was their witness.
She opened the door.
The socialite was watching from the front.
Their eyes met.
The Black woman smiled.
The socialite did not.
She changed clothes in the private suite.
Her assistant had packed a dark navy outfit.
She chose another cream one instead.
Almost identical to what had been stained.
When she returned to the cabin, the socialite stared.
The message was obvious.
You ruined nothing.
The Black woman sat.
The socialite looked at the clean outfit.
“Quite a wardrobe onboard.”
“Yes.”
“Must be convenient.”
“It is.”
The Black woman buckled again.
Then:
“Tell me about the trust amendment.”
The socialite froze.
Only slightly.
But enough.
The Black woman watched.
“What amendment?”
“That answer came too quickly.”
“I don't know what you're talking about.”
“Then we're done.”
She reached for a document folder.
The socialite leaned closer.
“Wait.”
There.
The Black woman looked up.
The socialite lowered her voice.
“My husband told me there was a legal complication.”
“When?”
“Last night.”
“Details?”
“No.”
“Did he tell you I would lose voting control?”
Silence.
“Yes.”
“Did he tell you to create a confrontation?”
The socialite’s face changed.
“No.”
The Black woman watched carefully.
That no felt different.
Maybe true.
“Then why the wine?”
The socialite’s mouth tightened.
“I was angry.”
“At me?”
“At what you represent.”
That was almost refreshing.
“What do I represent?”
The socialite looked around, then back.
“My husband has worked on this deal for almost a year.”
“And?”
“You've delayed it repeatedly.”
“I rejected bad terms.”
“He has barely been home.”
“That is between you and him.”
“You act like none of this affects people.”
The Black woman stared.
“You poured wine on a stranger because your husband works too much.”
The socialite flushed.