He reached Richard just as the laughter from the humiliating spectacle began to fade, replaced by confused murmurs as guests sensed something was amiss.
“Richard, we have a serious problem,” the CFO panted, his voice barely a whisper but carrying the weight of impending doom.
Richard frowned, still riding the high of his public display of power. “What could possibly be so urgent that it can’t wait?”
“The investment—the $800 million proposal—it’s been pulled. All financing has been frozen. We’re dead in the water,” the CFO continued, trying to maintain composure in the face of disaster.
