The company had sent four people. A partnerships director, two campaign staff, and a quiet man introduced as legal affairs.
The director came around the table with her hand already out.
"Maeve Callahan. We nearly worked together on the Meridian activewear campaign — two years ago? Your side priced us out." A real smile. "Half the deck we prepared assumes we're explaining this industry to three Challengers. I suspect we can skip those slides."
"Skip them," Maeve agreed pleasantly.
James watched it happen, and kept watching it through the whole meeting.
When he or Finn spoke, the company people answered fluently, warmly, at speed. When Maeve spoke, the room slowed down. Notes got checked. Wording got careful.
Early on, she asked — mildly, as if asking about the weather — whether the requested image rights were campaign-specific or international.
