I could see it.
Grace returned to our table.
“Your Honor, the ownership transfer is only the beginning.”
Victor muttered something under his breath.
Judge Monroe heard him.
“What was that?”
“Nothing.”
“Good.”
Grace picked up a second stack.
“These are vendor agreements from 2005 through 2012.”
My signatures filled the screen.
Produce.
Meat.
Liquor.
Equipment.
Linen service.
Pest control.
Waste management.
Commercial refrigeration.
One after another.
Grace asked me questions.
“Who negotiated the original produce contract?”
“I did.”
“Who created the first inventory system?”
“I did.”
“Who handled morning receiving?”
“I did.”
“Who developed the onion broth used in Hale & Ember’s signature short-rib dish?”
I almost laughed.
“I did.”
Victor stared at the table.
“Who trained the original front-of-house staff?”
“I did.”
“Who created the catering operation?”
“I did.”
“Who handled payroll during the first two years?”
“I did.”
“And who provided the initial capital for the restaurant?”
The question landed differently.
