Chapter 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN

ADAM MEADOWS

THERE'S a bead of sweat forming on the forehead of the man sitting in front of me, despite the chilly temperature in my office. I should put him out of his misery, but instead, I continue to stare him down.

"I . . . the fund . . . we we're so grateful for your continued investment," he stammered.

Dapat lang naman. I've got billions invested throughout the world, a far from insignificant portion of it in his firm. Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kaniya. My face serious. "I never said I'd continue investing in you," I said, my voice is firm, devoid of any kindness.

Nagsimulang gumalaw ang isa niyang paa sa sahig, dinig ko ang pag-tap ng sapatos niya roon and I watched the bead of sweat run down his face, his breathing accelerating by the second.

"H-Hindi ka ba . . . satisfied sa performance ng company? Our share price increased by twenty percent this year."

Sasagot pa lang sana ako sa kaniya nang mag-vibrate ang mobile phone ko sa ibabaw ng mesa. A text message fro