Chapter 5 - The Terms
The conference room was completely silent for nearly a minute, save for the hum of the air conditioner and Patricia’s quiet, muffled crying.
"What are your terms, Thomas?" Richard asked, his voice barely a whisper, looking up through bloodshot eyes. "Are you foreclosing?"
Marcus Sterling pulled a three-page document from his folder and slid it across the mahogany table toward Henderson.
"Here is the restructuring agreement," Marcus announced crisply.
Richard grabbed the paper frantically, his eyes scanning the terms alongside his attorney.
"Requirement One," Marcus read aloud. "Miller Valley Holdings assumes full 100% equity control of the Whitmore Plaza Towers development project. Richard Whitmore is removed as Managing Director immediately and replaced by an independent board-appointed receiver."
Richard flinched, but he didn't argue. He knew that losing equity control was the only way to avoid personal bankruptcy.
"Requirement Two," Marcus continued. "All outstanding invoices owed to local subcontractors—specifically Miller County Electric, Valley Plumbing, and Highland Masonry—will be paid in full with interest by 5:00 PM today out of the project reserve account."
"Agreed," Henderson said quickly, nodding at Richard. "That's standard. What about my client's personal assets?"
"Requirement Three," I spoke up, taking over the conversation.
I looked directly at Chase and Patricia.
"The Whitmore family will execute a full, formal, public retraction of the statements made at the reception, published in the local newspaper's business section," I said clearly. "And Chase Whitmore will resign from his position at his father's firm and vacate the luxury apartment leased under the company's name by the end of the week."
Chase went pale. "Resign? Where am I supposed to go? How am I supposed to live?"
"You're twenty-six years old, Chase," I said, looking at him with complete detachment. "You have a college degree, expensive clothes, and a lot of confidence. You can go out into the world, get an entry-level job, work forty hours a week, and earn your own way—just like the 'small-town people' you made fun of on Saturday night."
Chase looked at his father, expecting Richard to fight for him, to negotiate, to demand a better deal.
But Richard didn't even look at his son. Richard grabbed a pen from the desk stand, his hand trembling, and signed his name at the bottom of every page of the restructuring agreement.
"It's done," Richard whispered, dropping the pen onto the table. "The project is yours."
I stood up, buttoned my charcoal jacket, and picked up my leather briefcase.
"The construction site reopens at one o'clock this afternoon under new management, Richard," I said as Marcus gathered our files. "I suggest you take your family home and start packing."
May you like
As Marcus and I stepped out of the conference room into the bright, sunlit hallway, I turned to my attorney.
"Call Emily," I smiled. "Tell her the workers are getting paid today."
