He had never bothered to learn what she looked like.
That omission was about to cost more than embarrassment.
The master of ceremonies walked to the podium.
“Good afternoon.”
Conversation faded.
“Welcome to the keynote session of the twenty-third Pacific Founders Investor Summit.”
Applause.
“Our speaker has spent seventeen years investing across enterprise technology, health systems, infrastructure, fintech, and emerging platforms. Her firm oversees approximately $2.3 billion and has backed 114 companies, forty-one of which are currently valued above five hundred million dollars.”
Garrett leaned forward.
Tessa lifted her phone.
The emcee continued.
“She rarely gives keynote addresses, and she agreed to join us this year under one unusual condition.”
A few laughs.
“No advance publicity.”
Garrett glanced at Brad.
The emcee smiled.
“She told us she wanted to meet the industry before the industry knew it was meeting her.”
Something cold moved into Garrett’s stomach.
“Please welcome the founder and managing partner of Ascend Capital, Willa Townsend.”
Applause began.
Willa walked onto the stage.
Garrett stopped breathing.
Tessa’s phone lowered.
Brad whispered:
“Oh, God.”
Willa crossed beneath the warm stage lights.
Same blazer.
Same flat shoes.
Same face.
The woman from the lounge.
The woman Garrett had ordered from the chair.
The woman he had insulted.
The woman he had accused of stealing an invitation.
The woman Prism Dynamics wanted to ask for forty million dollars.
Garrett’s phone slipped from his hand.
Landed against his thigh.