Alexandre's POV
Victor Renard and I had a history.
Not personal — personal was not the relevant category. We occupied the same space in the Paris real estate market and that space was not large enough for both of us at full capacity. For fourteen years we had managed this with professional respect that was really just aggression wearing better clothes.
This morning he had taken the clothes off.
I ended our call in eleven minutes. The first three said everything necessary. The remaining eight were Victor performing innocence with the fluency of someone who had rehearsed it thoroughly.
I had nothing to do with the article.
My comment was taken out of context.
I only said what any responsible competitor would say.
I listened without interrupting. Then: "Victor. I know. You know I know
