She began by going through the strategies she was planning to employ, and how they would influence the creative plans she had in mind. The centrepiece of her concept was to release video segments and filmed vignettes through social media every week or so to attract potential clients to make bookings well in advance of the hotel’s launch. Using the techniques of storytelling, the short films would illustrate the hotel itself, its setting and staff, things to do, highlights of the local area and other amazing places around Bali. She felt her knees quiver as the faces around the table remained immobile, giving away nothing. A ripple of doubt ran through her but she pressed on, and when no one challenged her ideas, and her strategies seemed to be accepted, her confidence began to rise.

But as she came to the video presentation her heart was in her mouth. She knew that if they didn’t like this, she was in trouble. She dimmed the lights, creating a sense of drama and flair for this crucial portion of the presentation, and the room went quiet as she started the video. Action burst onto the huge screen.

Steve had warned her that typically Chinese businesspeople were difficult to present to, and so she was prepared for a low-key reaction. When the video ended, the room was silent.

Then, from the head of the table, Mr Pangisar Senior spoke. ‘Play it again, please, Ms Hagen.’ His tone was noncommittal. As she hit the icon again, the lead weight in the pit of her stomach grew heavier.

But this time around there was a rumble of mutterings, and Grace sensed her audience was appreciative. There was even the odd ‘Ooh’ and ‘Aah’. Then she heard Johnny’s excited whispering and saw him leaning towards his father. As she brought the lights back up at the end of the ninety-second video, she saw, with relief, smiling, excited expressions. There was even a smattering of applause – a rare event at presentations such as these, she guessed. She allowed herself to hope.

Grace started in on the last part of her presentation: the financials. She had always feared that perhaps the budget she was requesting would be too high. As she was about to run through the figures on the screen, Mr Pangisar Senior interrupted her and asked a question about the editing technique of the video. As she started to answer, Grace was suddenly shocked when Johnny reached over and slid her financial notes away from her, pushing them instead in front of Farrouk Eljoffrey, saying, ‘Just give this to MGI’s CFO and make it work, will you? The family have no problems.’

Her heart lifting, Grace continued addressing Mr Pangisar Senior, briefly explaining the video technique as a combination of real footage, CGI and special effects. He nodded and then smiled.