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He stared at the pages, but his eyes weren\u2019t reading. He was just staring. He\u2019d pick up a pen, a sleek silver Montblanc, hover it over a line, then slam it down, muttering a curse into his empty mug.<\/p>\n
His phone, a cutting\u2011edge smartphone, buzzed incessantly on the table. The screen lit up with the same name over and over: Bennett Reed.<\/p>\n
After the tenth buzz, the man snatched the phone.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat, Bennett? What else could you possibly want? To confirm I\u2019m ruined?\u201d<\/p>\n
His voice was a low growl, but it carried in the empty diner.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I\u2019m ruined. Are you satisfied?\u201d<\/p>\n
Zoe froze.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I haven\u2019t signed them. I\u2019m looking at them now. Yes, I know the meeting is at eight a.m. I know the creditors will be there. I know Sullivan & Cromwell are waiting. You don\u2019t need to remind me this is the end of Valyrias Holdings. I was there when my father built it.\u201d<\/p>\n
A long pause.<\/p>\n