“I think the project's public schedule depends on several assumptions that should be examined carefully,” she said.
Victor's expression hardened.
“What assumptions?”
Naomi looked at him.
“The construction schedule, the timing of the infrastructure agreement, and the projected cost of environmental remediation.”
Michael Zhou leaned forward.
“Why do you say that?”
“Because the public materials appear to treat some unresolved items as if they were already settled. That doesn't necessarily mean the project is unsound. It means the financial model should make the uncertainty visible.”
Henry's eyes narrowed with interest.
“Can you give us an example?”
Naomi hesitated.
She did not want to turn an ordinary dinner into an impromptu consulting session. She also did not want to pretend she had performed a complete audit of documents she had only reviewed publicly.
“I would need to examine the underlying assumptions before making a definitive assessment,” she said. “But the relationship between the construction schedule and the infrastructure agreement deserves particular attention. If the agreement is delayed, the project could face additional carrying costs, and those costs may not be fully reflected in the public summary.”
David Chen looked at Henry.
Henry looked at Victor.
The silence that followed was different from the silence during the wager.
This time, the businessmen were thinking.
Victor forced a smile.
“That's an interesting observation. But our team has already examined those issues.”
“Then the underlying analysis should address them,” Naomi replied.
She spoke without sarcasm.
That made the answer more difficult to dismiss.
Henry leaned back.
“Thank you, Ms. Carter.”
“You're welcome.”
Naomi collected two empty cups.
She was about to leave when Victor spoke again.
“Hold on.”
She stopped.
He looked at her with an expression she could not immediately interpret.
“Where did you say you went to school?”
“Stanford.”
“And you studied what?”
“International relations and economics.”
“Then you worked in China?”
“For a period.”
“Doing what?”
“Consulting.”
Victor stared at her.
The word seemed to bother him more than anything else she had said.
“What kind of consulting?”
Naomi adjusted the tray against her hip.
“Cross-border investment and market analysis.”
David Chen exchanged a glance with Michael Zhou.
Henry said nothing.
Victor's voice became sharper.
“And now you serve tables.”
“Yes.”
He seemed to wait for an explanation.
Naomi did not provide one.
The silence irritated him.
“Why?”
It was a simple question.
It was also a question he had no right to demand that she answer.
Naomi placed the cups on her tray.
“Because this is the job I have.”
Victor laughed once, without humor.
“That's not an answer.”
“It is the answer I'm comfortable giving you.”
Henry lowered his eyes to his teacup.
David Chen looked openly impressed.
Victor leaned back.
For the first time that evening, he seemed uncertain whether he was speaking to a waitress, a former professional, or someone who had become a problem he did not know how to solve.
Naomi turned away.
“Please let me know if you need anything else.”
She carried the tray to the kitchen.
Daniel was waiting near the service station.
He took one look at her face and shook his head.
“What did he ask you?”
“Nothing important.”
“Naomi.”
She sighed.
“He asked about my education.”
“And your previous work?”
“Yes.”
Daniel folded his arms.
“Do I need to be worried?”
“Not unless you think a customer might complain that I answered his questions.”
“That's not what I meant.”
Naomi looked at him.
Daniel had been fair to her when she started at Silver Pines. He had never asked why someone with a Stanford degree was applying for a server position. He had simply explained the schedule, shown her the point-of-sale system, and told her that the restaurant valued people who did their jobs well.
She appreciated that more than she had ever said.
“I don't know what he wants,” she admitted. “But I don't intend to give him a reason to make trouble for you.”
Daniel shook his head.
“You don't owe him silence if he's treating you badly.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
Naomi gave him a tired smile.
“Yes.”
He studied her for another moment.
“Good. Because if he tries to turn tonight into a complaint, I'll handle it.”
“Thank you.”
She returned to the service station.
For the next half hour, she attended to other tables, cleared plates, and helped a new server carry a tray of coffee.
She tried to forget table twelve.
It was nearly impossible.
Every time she passed the dining room, she noticed Victor watching her.
He no longer looked amused.
He looked curious.
And Naomi had learned that curiosity from the wrong person could be more dangerous than open hostility.
At 10:26 p.m., Victor finally stood.
He buttoned his jacket and shook hands with Henry Lin.
“We'll arrange another meeting,” he said. “My office will send the revised projections tomorrow.”
Henry nodded.
“We will review them when they arrive.”
Victor turned toward Michael.
“Pleasure doing business with you.”
Michael offered a polite smile.
“We look forward to receiving the documents.”
David Chen thanked Daniel for the dinner.
The three businessmen left together, accompanied by a restaurant employee carrying their coats.
Victor remained beside the table.
He took a business card from his wallet and placed it beneath the edge of a clean dessert plate.
Then he looked toward the service station.
“Naomi.”
She approached.
“Yes, Mr. Hale?”
He pointed to the card.
“My office will contact you.”
Naomi looked at it.
The card was thick, cream-colored, and printed with dark blue lettering. It carried Victor's name, the title of chief executive officer, and the address of Hale Urban Holdings.