A board member across the table shifted uncomfortably. “There may be one outstanding matter.” Marcus looked up sharply.
“What matter?” The board member hesitated. And in that pause, the old woman at the end of the table spoke for the very first time.
Her voice was soft. Not weak. Soft. The outstanding matter, Patricia Cole said calmly. Is me.
The room went very quiet. Marcus Blake looked at her slowly. Then he did something that would haunt him for the rest of his professional life.
He laughed. “I’m sorry, sweetheart,” he said loud enough for the whole table to hear.
“But I don’t know who let you in here or what you think this meeting is about.”
He gestured casually toward the door. This is a corporate acquisition. These are serious people handling serious business.
He picked up his pen and looked back at his documents. So, if you feel lost, you’re welcome to call whoever you want.
Your family, a taxi driver, whoever. He chuckled again. Several people at the table looked away in discomfort.
Patricia Cole did not move. She did not frown. She did not raise her voice.
She simply reached into her worn market handbag and slowly took out her phone. She placed the call without blinking.
