You just made them prove themselves to death until they gave up or someone else signed them first.
"No," Marcus said, his voice was flat.
Vincent blinked. "No?"
"I'm not playing that game, Vincent. You want proof? Then go listen to his demo." Marcus's gaze locked onto Vincent's, something sharp and knowing in his expression. "But we both know that's not what this is about."
Vincent's pleasant mask slipped for half a second. It was something raw and wounded flashing underneath before he flashed it away. "Then what is it about, Marcus?"
"Leverage." Marcus leaned back in his chair, the movement casual but his voice cutting. "You want me to jump through hoops. Prove myself. Prove him. Waste weeks setting up a showcase you'll find a reason to critique. Because the real issue isn't whether Levi Quinn has talent."
The room went dead silent.
Every board member froze. Levi's eyebrow curved.
