Chapter 7 - The Forty Million Dollar Problem
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Adrian raised his hand slightly, and one of the men in black instantly stepped forward, handing him a sleek, black digital tablet.
Adrian didn't even look at the device. He just held it up for my father to see.
“You requested a private meeting with my acquisitions team last Tuesday, Arthur,” Adrian said, using my father’s first name like a weapon. “You submitted a desperate proposal. You’ve asked Vale Capital for forty million dollars to save Harrington Properties from filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy by the end of the quarter.”
The ballroom erupted in a collective gasp.
My father went completely pale. His pristine reputation as a wealthy, untouchable Boston real estate mogul was his entire identity. Exposing his impending bankruptcy in front of all his peers, investors, and friends was the ultimate destruction of his pride.
My sister’s new husband, Daniel, a trust-fund heir who thought he was marrying into endless wealth, snapped his head to look at my father.
“What?” Daniel demanded, his voice cracking. “Arthur, what is he talking about? You said the company was expanding!”
“Quiet, Daniel!” my father hissed, sweat beading on his forehead. He looked back at Adrian, his eyes pleading. “Mr. Vale, please. This is a private family matter. We can discuss business in your office on Monday—”
“We are discussing it now,” Adrian interrupted, his voice dropping to a terrifying baritone. “Because you didn't just humiliate an easy target tonight, Arthur. You assaulted a major shareholder of the firm you are begging for money.”
My father blinked, his brain failing to process the information.
“What shareholder?” my father stammered.
May you like
Adrian turned slightly, offering his hand to me. I took it, and he gently helped me stand up from Table 19.
“Meredith,” Adrian announced clearly to the silent room, “owns thirty-one percent of Vale Capital.”
