Chương 13 - FRIDAY AT FIVE
Ruth called Arthur.
Then the company’s outside attorney.
Then the lender’s counsel.
By noon, we had a clearer picture.
Brett had signed a personal financing agreement backed by his expected acquisition payout.
He had also tried to pledge company assets without disclosing the ownership dispute.
The lender wanted its money.
Brett wanted the sale closed.
My supposed transfer was the bridge between those two demands.
If it held, he could sign alone.
If it failed, he needed me.
At two, his attorney requested an urgent meeting.
Brett arrived furious.
“You’re putting eighty employees at risk.”
I had hired most of those employees.
I knew who had a baby at home.
Who was caring for a parent.
Who worked double shifts to finish school.
“Where did the money go?” I asked.
“Growth.”
“Your condo isn’t a restaurant.”
His attorney touched his sleeve.
Brett ignored him.
“Sign the transaction. We can argue about proceeds later.”
“No.”
“You’d rather destroy everything?”
“I’d rather see an accurate balance sheet.”
Ruth laid out terms for any discussion.
Independent accounting.
Recognition of my disputed ownership.
Protected funds.
No payments to Sierra’s consulting company.
No release of claims based on documents we hadn’t yet reviewed.
Brett laughed.
“You really think you’re ready to run this?”
“I ran a dinner service holding a feverish toddler while you entertained food writers.”
“That was ten years ago.”
“And you’ve been telling that story with me cut out ever since.”
His phone buzzed.
He checked it.
The anger in his face shifted into alarm.
Arthur’s legal team had formally withdrawn the proposed closing.
The transaction wouldn’t happen that afternoon.
Brett stood.
His attorney stood with him.
The meeting ended without signatures.
At four-thirty, Darlene called.
“He’s in the office.”
“What is he doing?”
“Sending wire instructions.”
Ruth was already reaching for her phone.
Darlene lowered her voice.
“He’s trying to move the operating reserve.”
“How much?”
May you like
“All of it.”
Behind her, I heard Brett shout her name.
