Whispers spread through the office.
“The preliminary valuation was eighteen million dollars.”
Eighteen million.
Gavin stepped forward.
“Mrs. Halston, that process is confidential.”
“It was.”
The past tense caught everyone’s attention.
“What do you mean?”
Eleanor nodded toward her attorney.
He closed the folder.
“Halston Capital is terminating acquisition negotiations effective immediately.”
Gavin’s face went blank.
“You can’t be serious.”
“I am.”
“Because of this?”
“No.”
She looked directly at him.
“Because I do not invest in companies led by people who cannot distinguish between urgency and humanity.”
Gavin protested.
“This is an overreaction.”
“Is it?”
“Yes.”
“Then tell me something.”
She indicated where I stood.
“How long has Christopher worked here?”
“Almost four years.”
“How much revenue has he helped generate?”
Gavin gave no answer.
One of Eleanor’s associates consulted his tablet.
“Based on due-diligence records, campaigns led or materially developed by Christopher Bennett account for approximately thirty-one percent of client revenue retained over the previous thirty-six months.”
