Today, he expected the same.
He had no idea the entire atmosphere had changed.
At the far end of the room sat Jessica Johnson.
Beside her was Olivia.
And surrounding them were members of Johnson Global’s legal team.
Anderson stopped.
For a moment, he did not understand.
Then his eyes moved toward Olivia.
The same woman from the lobby.
The woman whose ID card he had thrown onto the marble floor.
His expression changed.
Only slightly.
But everyone noticed.
Jessica watched him carefully.
“Mr. Mitchell.”
Her voice was calm.
Professional.
But there was no warmth in it.
“I believe you know my mother.”
Anderson’s face became pale.
“Your mother?”
The words barely left his mouth.
Jessica nodded.
“Yes.”
“Olivia Johnson.”
“And I believe you owe her an explanation.”
For the first time in years, Anderson Mitchell had nothing prepared to say.
His confidence disappeared.
The person he had dismissed as someone who did not belong was sitting across from him with the full support of one of the most powerful companies in the country.
But Jessica did not let him hide behind surprise.
She opened a folder.
Inside were the records Olivia had collected.
“Mr. Mitchell, before we discuss business, we need to discuss what happened at your branch.”
Anderson swallowed.
“Miss Johnson, I can explain.”
Jessica raised her hand.
“Please.”
“Explain why your employee treatment depends on how someone looks.”
Anderson immediately shook his head.
“That is not what happened.”
Olivia looked at him.
“Isn’t it?”
Her voice was quiet.
But powerful.
“You did not ask about my company.”
“You did not ask why I was there.”
“You looked at me and decided I was not someone who belonged.”
Anderson looked away.
Because he knew she was right.
Jessica continued.
“Johnson Global chooses partners based on more than financial performance.”
“We choose partners based on integrity.”
“Respect.”
“Trust.”
She placed the folder on the table.
“And after what happened, we have serious concerns about continuing our relationship with Sterling Financial.”
The room became silent.
Anderson’s heart dropped.
The five-billion-dollar partnership.
The deal that had been discussed for months.
The opportunity that could define his career.
“No.”
The word escaped before he could stop himself.
“Miss Johnson, please.”
“You need to understand, this was a misunderstanding.”
“I did not know she was your mother.”
Olivia looked at him.
And that was the moment Anderson made the mistake that changed everything.
Because his apology revealed the truth.
“You would have treated me differently if you knew who I was?”
The question was calm.
But it carried more weight than anger.
Anderson froze.
Olivia continued.
“That is the problem.”