Chapter 2: The Name on the Investment Agreement
My office overlooked the restaurant's main dining room.
It had floor-to-ceiling windows, dark walnut furniture, and a framed photograph of my parents standing outside the first restaurant I had ever opened.
I kept that photograph where I could see it every morning.
It reminded me that success wasn't something I had inherited.
It was something we had built.
Claire closed the office door behind us.
“Mr. Bennett, the Sterling representatives are waiting in the conference room.””
“Who came?””
“Richard Coleman, their managing director. Two analysts and their legal counsel.””
I nodded.
“Let's not keep them waiting.””
But Claire didn't move.
“There's something else.””
I looked at her.
“What?””
“Vanessa Williams told the hostess that she's a personal representative of Sterling Capital's managing director.””
I frowned.
“Is she?””
“I'm not sure. She said she was bringing an important client here tonight and expected special treatment.””
“Did she mention the investment?””
“Several times.””
I walked to the window.
From there, I could see Vanessa's table.
She was leaning toward her friends, speaking rapidly. Her hands moved as if she were trying to explain something that even she didn't understand.
“Did she receive complimentary service?”” I asked.
“No, sir.””
“Good.””
Claire hesitated.
“Would you like me to move her to another table?””
“No. She's a paying customer. Treat her exactly as we treat everyone else.””
Claire nodded.
Then she added something that made me turn.
“There's another issue. One of our servers overheard her saying that she would be joining the investors upstairs.””
I stared at her.
“Did she have an invitation?””
“Not according to our records.””
“Then she isn't joining them.””
I picked up the folder containing the proposed investment agreement.
Forty million dollars.
It was a substantial partnership that would allow us to expand into six new markets, renovate three existing locations, and establish a hospitality training program for young people from low-income families.
I had negotiated for almost eight months.
The deal mattered.
But it wasn't worth compromising our company's values.
I had made that clear to my executive team from the beginning.
We were not going to accept money from people who expected us to abandon the standards that had made us successful.
“Let's go,” I said.
The conference room was already prepared.
Richard Coleman stood when I entered.
He was in his early sixties, with silver hair and a navy suit.
“Marcus! Good to see you.””
“Richard. I apologize for the delay.””
He shook my hand.
“Not at all. We arrived early.””
I introduced Claire and took my seat.
Richard opened his leather folder.
“Before we discuss the final terms, I want to congratulate you. Your customer retention numbers are impressive.””
“Thank you.””
“One thing particularly interests us. Your employee turnover is significantly lower than the industry average.””
I smiled.
“We invest in people. That isn't complicated.””
Richard nodded.
“Apparently, it is for some companies.””
His attorney chuckled.
We spent the next twenty minutes reviewing the agreement.
Then Richard leaned back.
“One more thing. I received a call from Vanessa Williams earlier.””
My fingers stopped moving.
Claire looked up.
Richard continued.
“She said she was a longtime family friend and wanted to make sure your company was prepared for our meeting.””
I placed my pen on the table.
“Do you know her?””
“Not particularly. She attended an event with one of our junior associates. She claimed she had an established relationship with our firm.””
I exchanged a glance with Claire.
Richard studied my expression.
“Is there a problem?””
“Not yet. But she is currently dining downstairs.””
Richard looked surprised.
“Here?””
“Yes.””
He frowned.
“She asked me to arrange an introduction tonight.””
I opened the folder.
“Richard, before we discuss introductions, I'd like to clarify something. Vanessa Williams has no position at Bennett Hospitality Group, and she has never been authorized to represent our company.””
Richard nodded slowly.
“Understood.””
I leaned forward.
“Has she represented herself as an employee or partner of Sterling Capital?””
“Not to me.””
“Then we should leave it there until we have the facts.””
Richard closed his folder.
“Fair enough.””
The meeting continued.
But I couldn't stop thinking about Vanessa's behavior downstairs.
She had used Sterling Capital's name to intimidate our staff.
That wasn't simply rude.
It was potentially serious.
At the end of the meeting, Richard stood.
“I'd like to visit the kitchen before we finalize everything tomorrow.””
“Absolutely.””
He shook my hand.
“And Marcus?””
“Yes?””
“I've heard your story. Starting with a single breakfast restaurant and building eleven locations. That's something worth respecting.””
I smiled.
“My parents would appreciate hearing that.””
Richard left with his team.
Claire stayed behind.
“Sir, I checked Vanessa's reservation.””
“And?””
“She originally booked a table for two. This afternoon, she called and changed it to three. She specifically requested a table near the private dining entrance.””
“Why?””
“She told the hostess she was expecting a meeting with an important business associate.””
I considered that.
“Did she name the associate?””
Claire looked down at her tablet.
“Yes.””
“Who?””
She swallowed.
“Richard Coleman.””
I stared at her.
Richard had never mentioned Vanessa as a business associate.
And if she had arranged the dinner using his name, there was a possibility she had been trying to create the appearance of a relationship with Sterling Capital.
“Find out who changed the reservation,” I said.
Claire nodded.
“I'll investigate.””
“And Claire?””
“Yes, sir?””
“Make sure nobody treats her differently because of what happened earlier.””
“Of course.””
I returned to my office.
A few minutes later, my phone buzzed.
An unknown number.
I answered.
“Marcus Bennett.””
A woman's voice came through.
“Marcus, it's Vanessa.””
I said nothing.
“I think there has been a misunderstanding.””
I leaned back in my chair.
“What misunderstanding?””
She laughed nervously.
“About earlier. You should know I was just joking. We went to school together.””
“You were insulting my employees.””
“I didn't know they were your employees.””
“That doesn't make it better.””
Silence.
Then she lowered her voice.
“Listen, I need a favor.””
I looked at the photograph of my parents.
“What kind of favor?””
“I have an important business opportunity. Richard Coleman and I have been discussing something, and I thought you might be able to help.””
I closed my eyes briefly.
“Vanessa, Richard is my investor.””
“I know that now.””
“Then you understand why this conversation is inappropriate.””
She rushed on.
“Please, Marcus. Just introduce me. I have a presentation, and I think it could benefit everyone.””
“What presentation?””
“A real estate development project.””
I frowned.
“What company?””
“Williams Development Group.””
I had heard that name.
It was a small real estate consulting business, but something about it sounded familiar.
Before I could ask another question, Vanessa said:
“Come on. We were classmates. You owe me at least one conversation.””
I almost laughed.
Fourteen years ago, she had told me I owed the world an apology for dreaming too big.
Now she wanted an introduction to the man investing forty million dollars in my company.
“Send me your proposal,” I said.
Her voice brightened.
“Really?””
“I'll review it.””
“Thank you, Marcus. I knew you wouldn't forget where you came from.””
I ended the call.
A moment later, Claire knocked.
She entered carrying a printed document.
“Sir, I found something.””
I looked at the paper.
It was a reservation modification record.
The original reservation had been made by Vanessa Williams.
But the final modification had been submitted using a different name.
I read it twice.
The authorization field contained the name of Sterling Capital's managing director.
Richard Coleman.
“Claire,” I said quietly, “did Richard authorize this?””
“No, sir. I just spoke with his assistant.””
I looked at the document again.
May you like
Someone had used Richard's credentials.
And the person who had benefited was sitting downstairs, waiting for an introduction.
