"Actually, yeah. He said I should be careful about getting involved with amateur real estate players who don't understand the neighborhood dynamics. Seemed to think Sterling was somehow connected to the development stuff."
After hanging up, Ethan realized he was trapped between two powerful forces, each claiming the other was lying. Blackstone represented obvious corporate intimidation, but Victoria's offer did seem suspiciously convenient.
The worst part was that Mia and Emma were caught in the middle. Their innocent friendship now tainted by adult suspicions and business complications.
Friday night's charity gala was still two days away. But suddenly it felt less like a celebration and more like a test he wasn't sure he wanted to take.
* * *
Friday morning arrived with the subtlety of a sledgehammer. Ethan awoke to find three official looking envelopes that had been slipped under his shop door sometime during the night.
The first was from the Phoenix Building Department, citing structural safety concerns that required immediate inspection. The second was from the Fire Marshal's office questioning the compliance status of his automotive equipment.
And the third was from the Environmental Protection Agency requesting documentation for proper disposal protocols of automotive fluids.
All three notices demanded responses within 48 hours, conveniently scheduled for a weekend when most government offices would be closed.
"Blackstone," Ethan muttered, recognizing the intimidation tactics Tommy had described.
But knowing who was behind it didn't make the threat any less real. Each violation could result in immediate closure of his shop, and fighting them would require lawyers he couldn't afford.
His phone rang at 7:15 a.m. Victoria's name appeared on the screen, but when he answered, it was Emma's excited voice that greeted him.
"Mr. Rodriguez, today's the big day. Are you and Mia ready for the most fancy night ever?"
Before Ethan could respond, Victoria's voice came through the background. "Emma, give me the phone, please."
"Hi." Victoria's voice was cautious, formal. "I wanted to confirm tonight's arrangements despite everything that's happened this week. The car will pick you up at 6:00 and Emma has had your tuxedo delivered to your shop. She insisted on coordinating everything."
Ethan stared at the government notices spread across his desk. "Victoria, I need to tell you something. Blackstone escalated things overnight."
The silence on the other end stretched for several seconds. "What kind of escalation?"
After Ethan explained the official notices, Victoria's response was immediate and fierce.
"That manipulative son of a..."
She caught herself, probably remembering Emma was listening. "Ethan, this is exactly the kind of pressure he's been putting on everyone in the neighborhood. It's coordinated harassment."
"Can you prove that?"
"Not legally, not yet. But David Kim has been documenting the pattern for weeks. Every business owner who's refused Blackstone's offers has faced the same sequence of official harassment."
Victoria's voice grew urgent. "Don't let him scare you into making decisions based on fear."
"Easy for you to say," Ethan replied, frustration creeping into his voice. "You're not the one facing immediate closure. You're not the one whose daughter's stability depends on this shop staying open."
"You're right," Victoria said quietly. "I'm sorry. That was insensitive. What can I do to help?"