Trevor reacted instantly. He rushed over, lifted the woman, performed the emergency maneuver with precise urgency, and freed the grape that had lodged in her airway. The woman collapsed into a chair coughing but alive.
Applause erupted. Phones recorded. A man in a tailored suit bowed repeatedly.
“You saved my wife,” he said. “We are here to meet Cassandra Reed tomorrow regarding a contract with your robotics division.”
Cassandra stepped forward, steadying the shaken woman, speaking soothing words until her breathing slowed.
The husband looked at Trevor. “Sir, we owe you everything.”
Before Trevor could answer, the hostess from earlier approached Cassandra, trembling.
“Ms. Reed, I must confess something. Mr. Avery paid me to reassign your reservation. He said it would teach you humility before the new year. I am sorry.”
Silence fell again, heavier this time. Cassandra closed her eyes for a moment. She could ruin Preston with a phone call. She could destroy careers with a sentence. Instead she opened her eyes, clear and calm.
“Thank you for telling me the truth. That is all I needed.”
She returned to the table. Trevor watched her carefully.