You're holding it too tight, Kloe instructed, adjusting Viven's fingers with her small, sticky hands. You have to let it rest. If you squeeze too hard, the noodle slips. Viven looked at the wooden chopsticks, then at the little girl. The metaphor was painfully obvious, but it hit her in the chest anyway.
She loosened her grip. The noodle stayed. "Thank you, Chloe," Viven said softly. Roland watched them from across the table. He took a sip of his beer.
"See, you are capable of taking direction. " "Don't push it, Roland," she muttered, taking a bite. But there was no venom in it. At 8:45 p.m., Rolan's cell phone buzzed on the counter. The caller ID flashed a Tokyo country code. Roland picked it up, checked the screen, and looked at Viven.
It's starting. He put the phone on speaker and set it on the island. Moshi Moshi, this is Roland. Roland son. The voice was clipped, professional, but laced with deep irritation.
It was Mr. Tanaka, the lead negotiator for Kyoto. We were informed you were no longer with Croft Holdings. We are currently in a conference call with a Richard Croft. He is abrasive.
I apologize for the confusion, Tanakasan. Roland said smoothly. There has been a restructuring. He is demanding a signature by Friday. He is threatening to pull the capital.
Tanaka paused. My board does not respond well to threats. We valued our relationship with Ms. Croft. We valued your discretion.
If she is no longer at the helm, Kyoto will withdraw from the acquisition. Viven stepped up to the counter. She looked at Roland. He nodded. Tanakasan.
This is Vivien," she said, her voice dropping into the cool, authoritative register that had built her empire. A brief pause. Ms. Croft, we were told you stepped down. I was temporarily indisposed.
Richard Croft does not speak for my vision of this merger. I ask for your patience. Give me 48 hours. When I return to my desk, the original terms we discussed, the ones respecting your domestic manufacturing limits, will be honored. "And if you do not return to your desk, then you walk," Vivian said.
"But give me 2 days," a long exhale crackled through the speaker. "Two days, Miss Croft. Not a minute more. " The line went dead. Viven looked at Roland. The air in the room felt electrified.