But it had been bought largely to impress men Mark hoped would invest in his company.

One investor had visited us for dinner.

Mark kept turning the conversation toward his vehicles, watch, and square footage.

When the guest asked how the business handled delayed receivables, Mark laughed and changed the subject.

After the dinner, I told him that he might be better off discussing his payment cycle honestly.

He said wealthy people expected confidence, not spreadsheets.

Months later, those same spreadsheets showed a troubling pattern of cash advances, vendor delays, and credit-card bills moved from one account to another.