Naomi almost didn't recognize him.
He looked older.
Not merely older in years.
Older in spirit.
His expensive suit was wrinkled.
His shoulders were slightly bent.
There was exhaustion in his face.
He stopped when he saw her.
“Naomi.”
She stood.
“Mr. Hale.”
He looked around her office.
“You're an executive.”
“Yes.”
“I heard.”
Naomi gestured toward the chair.
“Please sit.”
Victor sat.
Naomi remained standing for a moment before taking her seat.
“What can I do for you?”
Victor looked down.
“I need help.”
Naomi leaned back.
“I remember you.”
“I know.”
“You offered me one hundred thousand dollars because you didn't believe I spoke Mandarin.”
“I remember.”
“You laughed at me.”
Victor nodded.
“I did.”
“You told me I didn't look educated.”
“I was wrong.”
“Yes.”
Silence.
Victor looked exhausted.
“I was an arrogant man.”
“You were.”
He almost smiled.
“You haven't changed.”
“I don't see the value in pretending.”
Victor nodded.
“That is one of the things I respect about you now.”
Naomi raised an eyebrow.
“Now?”
“Yes.”
“What changed?”
He looked at his hands.
“Everything.”
His company had collapsed.
A major waterfront project had failed after environmental complications and financing problems.
Several investors sued.
Banks demanded repayment.
His partners left.
His reputation collapsed almost overnight.
He sold two houses.
Then the aircraft.
Then several properties.
His remaining company was barely alive.
“I need investors,” he said.
Naomi studied him.
“You need more than investors.”
Victor looked up.
“What?”
“You need someone willing to tell you the truth.”
He nodded slowly.
“Will you?”
Naomi didn't answer immediately.
Then she opened a folder.
“I reviewed your company's recent filings before you came upstairs.”
Victor looked surprised.
“You did?”
“Yes.”
She turned the folder toward him.
“You don't have a financing problem.”
“What do you mean?”
“You have a trust problem.”
Victor stared at the documents.
Naomi continued.