The attorney looked toward the other lawyer, Brenda Shaw, who’d been sitting silently near the end of the table.
Brenda’s face had gone pale.
“I’d like to review the original correspondence before answering,” she said.
Dominic closed the folder.
“Then nobody signs anything tonight.”
Celeste pushed back her chair.
“You cannot be serious!”
Dominic looked at her.
“I am.”
“Do you know what delaying this will cost us?”
“Less than approving twenty-six million dollars on the basis of a translation I can no longer trust.”
I felt dizzy.
Twenty-six million.
The sum being discussed was more money than my family would earn in several lifetimes.
And I’d just stopped a room full of lawyers from proceeding.
That’s when Celeste turned on me.
“You ignorant little girl,” she hissed. “You have absolutely no idea what you’ve done.”
I tried to answer.
She pointed toward the door.
“Get out!”
Our restaurant manager, Mr. Harlan, appeared immediately.
He’d been standing near the entrance, overseeing the private service.
“Is there a problem, Mrs. Rinaldi?”
Celeste pointed at me.
“Fire her.”
His face went rigid.
“Ma’am—”
“She’s disrupted a confidential business meeting. I want her gone.”
I felt my stomach drop.
My mother’s rent.
