To be honest, I was a bit embarrassed by the scene.

When the deal was done, I said to the other side:

“Your lawyer, Susan, I saw her work. She’s excellent.”

He replied: 

“She should be. She was an experienced GC and a law firm partner before that, before going solo.”

I asked:

“If you don’t mind, how much did she charge you?”

“$40K fixed fee.”

I felt the anger rise – on my desk was a bill for $120K, on an estimate of eighty.

I took a breath, breathing out slowly. 

Calmly, I asked: 

“Can I have her business card?”