“Is that advice?”
“Yes.”
“Then I'll take it seriously.”
After the call, she accepted the invitation on the condition that she receive the final contract before the dinner.
She still did not know whether she would accept the engagement.
But she had decided to attend.
Friday evening arrived beneath a pale gray sky.
Naomi finished her shift at four thirty, went home, and changed into a navy suit. She chose a simple blouse, black shoes, and a small pair of silver earrings that had belonged to her mother.
The earrings were not expensive.
They were important because they reminded her of a woman who had taught her to distinguish between being polite and being silent.
Her mother had once worked as a bookkeeper for a small manufacturing company. She had spent years balancing accounts while raising Naomi and her younger brother, Daniel, who had died in a car accident when he was twenty-one.
After Daniel's death, Naomi's mother had become quieter.
She still went to work, still prepared meals, still asked Naomi about her classes. But something in her had changed.
When Naomi received her acceptance letter from Stanford, her mother had held it in both hands and read every line.
Then she had looked up and said, “Promise me something.”
“What?”
“Don't let anyone convince you that being grateful means being obedient.”
Naomi had laughed at the time.
Her mother had not.
“Some people will help you,” she had said. “Some people will give you opportunities. Be thankful when they do. But don't confuse gratitude with giving them permission to decide who you are.”
Naomi had remembered those words during her first job, during the collapse of her career, and during the long months when she wondered whether she had made a mistake by refusing to compromise.
She touched the small silver earrings.
Then she left.
The dinner was being held in a private room at the Westbridge Hotel, a luxury property overlooking the bay.
When Naomi arrived, an attendant directed her to a reception area where several executives were speaking in small groups.
Victor Hale stood near the windows.
He wore a charcoal suit and a dark red tie. When he saw Naomi, he raised his glass.
“Ms. Carter. You came.”
“You invited me.”
He smiled.
“I appreciate that.”
Naomi greeted Richard Cole, who was standing nearby, then turned toward the three businessmen from Shanghai.
Henry Lin recognized her immediately.
“Ms. Carter,” he said warmly. “I'm glad to see you again.”
“It's good to see you too, Mr. Lin.”
Michael Zhou shook her hand.
David Chen smiled.
“We were hoping you would come.”
Naomi looked at him.
“Why?”
David's smile faded into a more serious expression.
“Because we have several questions, and we would prefer to ask them without misunderstandings.”
Victor laughed lightly.
“That's why we're all here. To ensure that everyone understands the project.”
Henry looked at him.
“Yes,” he said. “Everyone.”
The guests were escorted into the private dining room.
The table was arranged for twelve people. Crystal glasses stood beside white porcelain plates, and small floral arrangements decorated the center. Through the windows, the bay was visible beneath the evening haze.
Naomi was seated between Richard Cole and David Chen.
Victor sat at the head of the table.
The dinner began with polite conversation about travel, business conditions, and the changing investment climate in California.
Naomi listened more than she spoke.
She noticed that Henry Lin asked several questions about the project timeline, while Michael Zhou returned repeatedly to the subject of infrastructure costs.
David Chen appeared particularly interested in the financing structure.
Victor answered confidently.
He described the development as a once-in-a-generation opportunity, emphasizing the projected demand for waterfront residences, the technology sector's expansion, and the city's long-term need for new housing.
His presentation was polished.
He knew how to make a complicated project sound inevitable.
But Naomi also noticed what he avoided.
Whenever the discussion approached the infrastructure agreement, Victor redirected the conversation toward the project's broader economic benefits.
When Henry asked whether the financing amendment had changed the conditions attached to the infrastructure guarantee, Victor said the amendment was administrative.
When Michael asked whether the contingency reserve was sufficient to cover delays, Victor referred to the company's experience managing complex projects.
When David asked whether the updated financial model had been independently reviewed, Victor said the review was underway.
Naomi looked at Richard.
His expression was controlled, but his fingers had tightened around his fork.
She recognized the gesture.
He was worried.
During the main course, Henry turned toward Naomi.
“Ms. Carter, may I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
“Based on the public information available, do you believe the financing structure is straightforward?”
Victor set down his glass.
“Henry, I think we should allow the finance team to answer questions about the financing.”
Henry did not look at him.
“I am asking Ms. Carter for her opinion.”
Naomi placed her fork beside her plate.
“I would need to see the complete documentation before describing the structure as straightforward or complicated.”
Henry nodded.
“That is a fair answer.”
Victor leaned back.
“But surely you can acknowledge that the project has been thoroughly reviewed.”
“I can acknowledge that the company has stated that it has been reviewed.”
“That is not the same thing.”
“No,” Naomi said. “It isn't.”
A silence settled over the table.
Richard looked down at his plate.
Michael Zhou folded his napkin.
Victor's face darkened.
“You seem determined to cast doubt on this project.”
Naomi looked at him.
“I'm trying to distinguish between what I know and what I don't know.”