Chapter 8 - The Original Promise
Sophie—Thomas’s younger sister, not to be confused with anyone from another story—found the document.
She had been Thomas’s accountant during Imperial Lotus’s early years.
In a storage box sat a handwritten partnership memorandum.
Not legally perfect.
But meaningful.
Thomas and David had signed it in 2005.
Thomas Walker — Capital, finance, expansion.
David Tran — Operations, culinary concept, staff.
Economic ownership to be adjusted over time toward equal participation based on repayment and performance.
Beneath that:
Neither partner may sell the company without offering the other the right to acquire first.
David had forgotten it.
Thomas had too.
Evelyn smiled.
“This changes leverage.”
“Does it prove fifty-fifty?”
“No.”
“Then don't pretend it does.”
Thomas appreciated her restraint.
The document did prove something else.
Their relationship had never been intended as lender and borrower.
They were partners.
Messy partners.
Poorly documented.
But partners.
Thomas sent David a copy.
No message.
David called twenty minutes later.
“I remember this.”
“So do I now.”
“We wrote it on a napkin first.”
Thomas almost smiled.
“Blue ink.”
“You spilled coffee.”
“You blamed me.”
“You did it.”
For ten seconds they sounded like old friends.
Then David said:
“This still doesn't mean you own the restaurants.”
“No.”
“It doesn't mean I stole them.”
“No.”
Silence.
Thomas added:
May you like
“But it means we both started lying when we pretended the other man had no claim.”
David did not answer.
