"I hope you don't mind," Arthur said, "but my team conducted some research using public records, and I visited this cafe yesterday."
Lashonda tensed.
Dmitri's eyes widened.
"I spoke with Mr. Palos."
Dmitri stepped forward.
"Mr. Brennan, I..."
Arthur raised a hand gently.
"I learned about the building."
Dmitri went silent.
"The sale. The proposed rent increase. The possibility that Riverside may have to close."
Arthur turned toward the room.
"I also learned that this cafe has served this neighborhood for 40 years."
Regular customers watched him closely.
"I learned Mr. Palos treats his employees like family. I learned people come here because they know each other's names."
He looked toward Dmitri.
"And I learned this place matters."
Arthur turned back toward Lashonda.
"I have three proposals."
Catherine removed a document.
"The first concerns Riverside Cafe."
Arthur looked toward Dmitri.
"Brennan Capital Partners will purchase this building and place it into a community property trust."
Dmitri blinked.
"What?"
"You retain full operational control of the cafe."
Arthur continued.
"There will be no predatory rent increase."
Dmitri stared at him.
"We will also fund repairs, kitchen upgrades, accessibility improvements, and necessary maintenance."
Dmitri made a sound somewhere between a laugh and a sob.
Arthur continued.
"The intention is to preserve Riverside as a community cornerstone and use it as a model for protecting neighborhood businesses with cultural and social value."
Dmitri's knees weakened.
He sat heavily in a nearby chair.
Maria rushed toward him.
"You're serious?" Dmitri whispered.
David Carter nodded.
"Completely. Preliminary paperwork can be ready Monday."
The diner erupted.
Customers applauded.
Tommy shouted.
Maria laughed and cried simultaneously.
Dmitri covered his face.
Arthur waited until the room settled.
"The second proposal concerns education."
Catherine produced another document.
"We're establishing the Diane Hayes Memorial Nursing Scholarship."
Lashonda stared.
Arthur continued.
"A five-million-dollar endowment designed to fund several full scholarships every year for students from underserved communities pursuing nursing careers."
Lashonda grabbed the edge of the table.
Her knees felt weak.
"My son Michael will serve on the selection board," Arthur said. "Miss Hayes, I would be honored if you participated too."
Catherine tapped the tablet.
A video connection opened.
A man appeared on-screen wearing a doctor's coat.
Mid-30s.
Healthy.
Kind eyes.
Alive.
"Lashonda," Michael Brennan said warmly. "I've wanted to meet the daughter of the woman who saved my life."
Lashonda could not answer.
Michael smiled gently.
"Your mother sat beside me when I was scared. She read to me. Made me laugh. She advocated for me when treatment became difficult."
He paused.
"I became a doctor because of her."
Lashonda began crying again.
"I went into pediatric oncology because I wanted other children to receive what Diane gave me."
Michael leaned slightly toward the camera.
"A chance."
He smiled.
"Every nurse supported through this scholarship will carry part of her legacy forward."
The diner was silent except for sniffles.
Arthur nodded toward Catherine.
She ended the call.
"There's more."
Tommy was still recording.
Arthur turned toward him.
"We're announcing the first scholarship recipient today."
Tommy froze.
"Tommy Bennett, you're enrolled at City Community College and pursuing nursing, correct?"