Chapter 8 - The Crawl Back
When my father finally walked into my office, he looked completely broken. His designer suit hung loosely on his frame, and the arrogant sneer that used to define his features was entirely gone, replaced by a desperate, hollow look.
He stood awkwardly by the door until I gestured to the chair across from my desk.
"Maya," he started, his voice cracking. "Your office... it's beautiful."
"Thank you, Richard. I have a conference call in ten minutes. What can I do for you?" I kept my voice perfectly professional, the tone one uses for a difficult client.
He swallowed hard. "I couldn't get the loan. The banks won't touch me. The viral video... my clients have pulled their listings. I'm facing foreclosure on the commercial lease for my firm. And the thirty days for your mother's trust payout is up on Friday."
He looked down at his hands. "If you file the partition action, we'll be on the street. Chloe is in therapy. Your stepmother is packing her bags to stay with her sister. I have nothing left."
He looked up at me, tears welling in his eyes. "I know I was terrible. I know I was a monster to you. I was jealous of your mother's brilliance, and I took it out on you. But I am begging you, Maya. Please. Give me an extension. Forgive the debt."
I looked at the man who had made my life a living hell. The man who had made me scrub floors after 24-hour shifts. The man who had pushed me into the freezing rain and told me to hide so I wouldn't ruin a photo.
"Richard, in law, there is a concept called 'equity,'" I said softly, folding my hands on my desk. "He who seeks equity must do equity. It means you cannot ask the court for fairness if you have acted unfairly yourself."
I pulled a file from my drawer and slid it across the desk.
"I won't forgive the debt," I said coldly. "But I will buy you out. I am purchasing the remaining fifty percent of the house at thirty cents on the dollar. You will take the money, pay off your commercial lease, and you will sign the deed over to me. You have until Friday to vacate my property."
May you like
His eyes widened in shock. "Thirty cents on the dollar? But that's a fraction of what it's worth! I won't have enough to buy a new place!"
"Then I suggest you start looking for an apartment," I replied, pressing a button on my phone. "Sarah, please show Mr. Vance out. We are finished here."
