The attorneys exchanged looks.
Evan watched quietly.
He had spent years surrounded by intelligent people.
But Naomi's intelligence felt different.
It had been sharpened by survival.
After the meeting, Margaret pulled Evan aside.
"She's extraordinary."
"I know."
"No," Margaret said. "I don't think you do."
Evan looked through the glass wall.
Naomi was gathering her father's documents.
"What are you saying?"
"Your foundation needs someone to rebuild that community investment model."
Evan understood immediately.
"Naomi."
"She identified problems our consultants missed."
Evan hesitated.
"She'll think I'm offering because I feel guilty."
"Are you?"
He considered the question.
"No."
"Then prove it."
Later that afternoon, Evan found Naomi cleaning his office.
The irony was painful.
"Naomi."
She turned.
"I want to offer you a job."
She laughed.
"No."
"I haven't told you what it is."
"Doesn't matter."
"Director of Community Investment Strategy."
Naomi stopped wiping the desk.
The title landed harder than she expected.
Evan continued.
"Full executive salary. Benefits. Authority to redesign the foundation's program."
Naomi stared at him.
"Why?"
"Because you're qualified."
"You didn't know I was qualified three days ago."
"I didn't bother finding out."
At least he admitted it.
Naomi placed the cloth down.
"If I accept, people will say you hired the cleaner because you embarrassed yourself."
"They probably will."
"They'll say I'm a charity case."
"Then prove them wrong."
Naomi's eyes narrowed.
"I don't need to prove anything."
Evan nodded.
"You're right."
That answer surprised her.
He placed a folder on the desk.
"No pressure. Read it."
Then he walked away.
Naomi stared at the folder.
Six years earlier, she had watched every door in her professional life slam shut.
Now one had opened.
The problem was that she didn't know whether walking through it meant reclaiming her life...
or allowing another powerful man to control it.
Naomi didn't accept Evan's offer.
Not immediately.
For three days, the folder remained unopened on her kitchen table.
Isaiah checked it every morning.
"You know staring at it isn't technically a decision."
"Thank you, philosopher."
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
Lorraine smiled from the sofa.
"You're afraid."
Naomi looked at her.
"I'm cautious."
"You're afraid."
Naomi hated when her mother was right.
She wasn't afraid of failing.
She was afraid of wanting that life again.
Because wanting something meant giving the world another opportunity to take it away.
Thursday evening, Naomi finished her shift at eight.
When she stepped outside Carrington Plaza, a black limousine waited near the curb.
A man in a dark coat approached.
"Ms. Brooks?"
Naomi immediately became cautious.
"Yes?"
"Mr. Halston would like a word."
Her stomach tightened.
"No."
The limousine door opened.
Richard Halston stepped out.
"Five minutes."
Naomi looked toward the building entrance.
Security guards stood twenty feet away.
She remained outside.
"Talk."
Richard smiled faintly.
"You've changed."
"No. You just never knew me."
His smile disappeared.
"I heard you found some of your father's records."
Naomi felt a chill.
"How would you know that?"
Richard ignored the question.
"Marcus was a stubborn man."
"My father was a good man."
"Good men sometimes misunderstand complicated situations."
Naomi stared at him.
"Did you threaten him?"
Richard's eyes hardened.
"Careful."
"There it is again."
"What?"
"That word."
Naomi stepped closer.
"You told me to be careful at the gala. You told my father to stop asking questions. Powerful men seem to use that word whenever they want everyone else to stay quiet."
Richard glanced toward the security cameras.
Then he changed tactics.
"I'm willing to compensate you."
Naomi almost laughed.
"For what?"
"Everything."
He named a number.
Five million dollars.
Naomi's expression didn't change.
Richard continued.
"You sign a confidentiality agreement. We publicly state that mistakes were made during the investigation. Your professional record is restored. Everyone moves forward."
"Five million."
"Yes."
"For six years of my life."
"It's enough money to ensure your family never struggles again."
That hit exactly where Richard intended.
Lorraine's medication.
Isaiah's college.
Rent.
Debt.
Five million dollars could change everything.
Richard saw the hesitation.
"Think about your mother."
Naomi's eyes sharpened.
"Don't talk about my mother."
"I'm simply being realistic."
"No. You're trying to find my price."
"Everyone has one."
Naomi looked at the limousine.
Then at Richard.
"Maybe that's why you never understood my father."
She turned to leave.