The $6 Billion Number
Elena couldn't remain silent anymore.
Her voice trembled.
“The account is real.”
Richard turned.
“What did you say?”
“The fleet account.”
She opened the corporate database on her computer.
“Carter Global Logistics. Executive clearance.”
Richard's face changed.
Elena continued.
“The current fleet agreement is valued at approximately six billion dollars.”
The showroom erupted.
“Six billion?”
“No way.”
“Did she say billion?”
The teenager's phone immediately moved closer.
Richard stared at Elena.
“That's impossible.”
Elena shook her head.
“I verified it this morning.”
Richard's anger returned.
“This woman is trying to scam us.”
Then he said the words that would destroy him.
“People like this always try to cheat the system.”
The room went completely silent.
Even Richard seemed to realize what he had just said.
Amara slowly lifted her eyes.
There was no anger in them.
Only certainty.
The Woman Behind the Tablet
Amara placed the tablet on the counter.
“Would you like to know who I am?”
Richard didn't answer.
She continued.
“My name is Amara Carter.”
Several guests recognized the name.
“Carter Global Logistics,” she said.
Richard's face went pale.
“My company manages one of the largest corporate transportation networks in the country.”
She paused.
“For the past five years, your dealership has supplied nearly half of our luxury fleet requirements.”
Richard stared at her.
“No.”
“Yes.”
“You're the CEO?”
“Yes.”
The room seemed to shrink around them.
The associate who had mocked her moments earlier stepped backward.
The younger associate stopped smiling.
The security guard lowered his eyes.
Elena covered her mouth.
Amara looked around the showroom.
“I came here tonight because I wanted to personally review the next fleet expansion.”
She looked back at Richard.
“I didn't come here to prove I could afford these cars.”
She tapped her tablet.
“I came here to decide whether your company deserved another contract.”
Richard's lips parted.
But no words came.
The Decision
Richard suddenly changed his tone.
“Ms. Carter, there has clearly been a misunderstanding.”
Amara shook her head.
“No.”
“Please. Let me explain.”
“You already did.”
Richard stepped around the counter.
“We can fix this.”