For the first time since Friday, Claire felt as though a wealthy stranger had spoken to her as an adult rather than as someone waiting to be saved.
CHAPTER 6: 6. A City Built on Introductions
Charles Renwick called an emergency meeting in a private room of his investment firm.
His chief financial officer, Maya Chen, arrived carrying the restaurant’s latest operating reports.
Charles accused Samuel of staging a public humiliation to punish him for an old disagreement.
Maya refused to argue about emotions when the reports contained unresolved numbers.
The restaurant’s charitable meals had been billed through a management company called Meridian Guest Services.
Meridian had charged administrative fees every month despite possessing no identifiable food purchasing contracts.
Charles said the arrangement had been approved by his hospitality director.
Maya asked to see the approval.
He promised to find it later.
“Samuel is going to turn this into a morality play,” Charles complained.
“Then make sure our books can withstand a straightforward audit,” Maya replied.
Charles called Preston while she was still in the room.
The manager claimed Claire had violated several rules, but his explanations changed with each question.
He said the soup was free inventory and then said it had been purchased through an unauthorized discount.
He said Claire abandoned her station and then acknowledged telling her to remove her apron.
Maya took notes without interrupting.
When the call ended, she asked Charles why Preston remained in charge of employees whose testimony might be relevant.
Charles disliked the implication.
“You’re assuming he did something wrong.”
“I’m assuming witnesses shouldn’t take orders from the person whose behavior they may describe.”
Charles walked to the window overlooking the river.
For years his name had opened doors across Chicago.
He funded galas, sat on museum committees, and spoke constantly about entrepreneurship.
He had come to believe charitable obligations were ornamental language that could be managed through accountants and public relations.
Maya’s questions frightened him because they were not questions he could answer by calling another influential person.
She advised an independent review of Meridian and told him to preserve all emails.
Charles responded by asking whether she would be loyal.
“My duty is to the company and the law,” she said.
“If loyalty requires destroying records, you have misunderstood my employment contract.”
When she left, Charles sat in the empty conference room and opened the old trust agreement.
Lillian Avery’s signature appeared near the bottom beside the handwritten phrase no one turned away for lack of money.
