"Richard."
They shook hands.
Richard looked between Diana and Linda.
His expression slowly changed.
He knew something was wrong.
"Diana, what happened?"
For the first time all day, Diana felt like someone was actually listening.
She looked at Richard.
Then at Linda.
And calmly said:
"I came here for a meeting at ten this morning."
A pause.
"I am still waiting."
Richard's face froze.
"Still waiting?"
Diana nodded.
"Four hours."
The color slowly drained from Linda's face.
Richard turned toward her.
The warmth disappeared from his expression.
"Linda."
His voice was quiet.
But everyone in the room understood the seriousness behind it.
"Explain."
Linda Kramer stood frozen.
For the first time that day, she no longer looked confident.
She looked exposed.
"Mr. Langford, I can explain."
Richard did not move.
"Please do."
The room became silent.
Diana stood calmly beside him, watching.
Not with anger.
With disappointment.
Linda cleared her throat.
"The schedule became complicated this morning. We had several clients with urgent matters, and I was trying to manage everything efficiently."
Richard's eyes narrowed.
"How long was Miss Bennett waiting?"
Linda hesitated.
That hesitation said more than any answer could.
"Approximately..."
She swallowed.
"Four hours."
Richard slowly turned toward Diana.
"Is that correct?"
Diana nodded.
"Yes."
Richard looked back at Linda.
"Did you know she had been waiting?"
Linda's silence lasted too long.
"Yes."
The answer landed heavily.
Richard's expression hardened.
"You knew?"
Linda looked uncomfortable.
"I was informed."
Richard stepped closer.
"And no one thought to update her?"
"Mr. Langford, I was handling other priorities."
Richard shook his head.
"No."
His voice remained calm.
"But that is not an explanation."
Linda lowered her eyes.
Richard continued.
"Highland Crest Bank does not measure clients by how convenient they are."
He looked toward Diana.
"It does not matter whether someone has ten million dollars or ten thousand dollars. A confirmed appointment is a commitment."
Diana watched silently.
She could see the difference between Richard and the people who had ignored her.
He was not defending the bank.
He was questioning it.
Richard turned back to Linda.
"Did Miss Bennett receive any apology?"
Linda hesitated again.
"No."
The silence became uncomfortable.
Richard took a slow breath.
"I find that very difficult to accept."
Linda immediately tried to recover.
"Mr. Langford, I understand your concern, but there may have been some misunderstanding."
Diana finally spoke.
"No misunderstanding happened."
Everyone looked at her.