CHAPTER 3
Amara replied:
“We have a 2016 Château Canon and a 2018 Château Figeac available by bottle.”
Richard glanced up.
“Whichever is more expensive.”
Laurent gave Amara an apologetic look.
“Perhaps the Canon.”
Amara nodded.
“Excellent choice.”
Richard smirked.
“You speak wine too?”
Amara smiled politely.
“I work here, sir.”
Laurent almost smiled.
Richard did not.
Twenty minutes later, Richard opened the contract.
That was when Amara first heard French.
Not spoken.
Printed.
Laurent kept switching between versions.
English left.
French right.
He occasionally asked Richard a question.
Richard answered confidently.
Too confidently.
Amara did not listen intentionally.
But when you speak French fluently, French words have a way of reaching you even when you are pretending not to hear them.
The first phrase that caught her attention was:
cession intégrale des droits de vote.
Complete assignment of voting rights.
Amara thought she must have misunderstood the context.
Then later:
irrévocablement transférés.
Irrevocably transferred.
Again, strange.
Richard kept describing the agreement in English as a “strategic partnership.”
He used the phrase at least six times.
Strategic partnership.
Equal control.
Shared expansion.
Mutual growth.
But the French language on the pages didn’t sound equal.
Amara told herself not to get involved.
None of her business.
She was there to serve dinner.
Not perform legal review.
So she poured wine.
Cleared plates.
Brought Laurent mineral water.
Kept her thoughts to herself.
Until Richard decided to make her part of the entertainment.
After Laurent pushed the contract back, Richard recovered quickly.
Or tried to.
“This is ridiculous.”
He pulled the document toward himself.
“You’re interpreting a technical clause without context.”
Laurent folded his hands.
“Then give me the context.”
Richard looked at him.
“It’s an enforcement mechanism.”
“For what?”
“If certain revenue thresholds aren't met.”
Laurent pointed to the French text.
“It says the voting transfer occurs if any financing covenant is breached.”
Richard nodded.
“Yes.”
“That is not the same thing.”
“Functionally, it protects both parties.”
Laurent’s expression hardened.
“How does transferring my voting rights to your holding company protect me?”
Richard sighed.
“Étienne, we have been through this.”
“No.”
Laurent tapped the page.
“We have been through the English summary.”
Richard looked toward Amara.
That look said everything.
Blame.
Irritation.
Embarrassment.
Not gratitude.
“Can we get some privacy?”
Amara nodded.
“Of course.”
She reached for the empty bread plate.
Richard grabbed her wrist.
Not violently.
But enough to stop her.
Amara looked down.
Then at him.
“You.”
His voice was low.
“You caused this.”
Laurent stared at him.
“Richard.”
Amara slowly pulled her wrist free.
“I translated the sentence you asked me to translate.”
“You inserted yourself into a private business discussion.”
Amara looked at the hundred-dollar bill still on the floor.
“You invited me.”