I know she was right. Julian screamed, throwing a crystal paperweight across the room. It shattered against the wall. I don't pay you to tell me what a waitress knows.
I pay you to fix it. Sir, we can back out, Cole suggested timidly from the couch. We pay the break fee. It's $20 million.
We take the hit. I can't take a $20 million hit. Julian roared. The board is already breathing down my neck about the pharma acquisition.
If I show a loss this quarter, they'll trigger a vote of no confidence. I have to close this deal. I have to flip that land. But who will lend us the hundred million for the closing?
Brett asked. The banks won't touch it with the soil issues. Find me a lender, Julian barked. I don't care what the rate is.
Find me someone greedy. Find me someone who doesn't ask questions. Get me the money. I buy the land.
I bribe the inspector to delay the report for 6 months. And I sell the parcel to the pension fund in Dubai. They don't check EPA logs. The intercom buzzed.
It was his secretary, her voice trembling. Mr. Thorne, there's a there's an offer coming through on the secure fax. It's from a private equity firm called Vanguard Shadow. Julian stopped pacing.
I've never heard of them. They're new, Brett said, checking his tablet. Registered in the Caymans deep pockets. They specialize in distressed opportunities.
What's the offer? Julian demanded. They're offering $150 million, the secretary continued. Full financing for the Kensington acquisition.
Fast close. Funds available by Monday morning. Julian smiled, a slow, cruel smile. God, I love greedy people.
They smell blood and they come running. What are the terms? Cole asked. Who cares?
Julian laughed, grabbing his jacket. We're going to refinance it in a month anyway once I sell the land. Set up the meeting. I want to meet the head of this Vanguard Shadow.
They requested a meeting tonight. The secretary said at the Blackwood Gala. Julian paused. The Blackwood Gala was the most exclusive event of the season.
Only the inner circle was invited. If this new firm had a table there, they were real players. Perfect. Julian adjusted his tie in the reflection of the window.
I'll charm them, take their money, and bury this mess. And as for that waitress, she's probably scanning want ads right now. He didn't know that the waitress was currently sitting in a stylist's chair three blocks away, having diamonds draped around her neck that cost more than his car. The Blackwood Gala, 8:00 p.m. The ballroom of the Ritz-Carlton was transformed into a winter garden, white roses, ice sculptures, and a string quartet playing Mozart.