Chapter 2 - THE TRANSLATION THAT STOPPED A FORTUNE
Adrien held out his hand.
"Give me the contract."
Nina returned it.
His eyes moved over the text.
"Explain."
She took a breath.
"Clause seventeen doesn't grant you operational control. It grants the Italian holding company the right to assume control if certain financial conditions are triggered."
Vivien leaned forward.
"What conditions?"
Nina pointed to a sentence.
"The English version says those conditions apply only in the event of insolvency."
She looked at Adrien.
"The Italian version says they can also apply when the holding company determines that your operations pose a material commercial risk."
Vivien's face changed.
"That's dangerously broad."
Nina nodded.
"And the determination doesn't require independent review."
Bertellini stood.
"This woman is not a lawyer."
Nina looked at him.
"No, sir."
He smiled triumphantly.
"Then perhaps she should return to serving coffee."
Adrien's voice cut through the room.
"Sit down."
Bertellini froze.
Adrien looked at Nina.
"Continue."
Her hands trembled.
But her voice remained steady.
"Clause twenty-two allows the holding company to appoint an interim operator."
Vivien checked her English copy.
"Mine says temporary advisory representative."
Nina shook her head.
"The Italian wording gives that person authority over vessel scheduling, cargo allocation, and certain payment approvals."
Adrien's expression hardened.
"And clause thirty-one?"
Nina turned the pages.
Then stopped.
Her stomach tightened.
"Sir..."
"What?"
May you like
She looked up.
"This one is worse."
