Victor’s Offer
Chapter 11 - Victor’s Offer
Victor’s office overlooked the harbor.
Evelyn arrived Monday with Michael beside her.
She wore black.
The same black dress she had worn the day she saw Natalie with the emerald around her neck.
Victor greeted them warmly.
No attorneys were present.
That was Evelyn’s choice.
Victor thought it meant she was afraid.
He slid a contract across the table.
The warehouse property would be sold to a development company for six million dollars.
Evelyn knew the current market value was closer to eleven.
Victor would use part of the proceeds to settle Michael’s debt.
Everyone would walk away, he said, “whole.”
Evelyn read every page.
Then she looked up.
“Where is my necklace?”
Victor sighed.
“Still this?”
“Yes.”
“Evelyn, your son is weeks away from bankruptcy.”
“My question was simple.”
Victor leaned back.
“Richard gave me certain responsibilities.”
“Did one of them include stealing from me?”
Michael shifted in his chair.
Victor’s expression chilled.
“You should be careful with accusations.”
Evelyn smiled.
“You should be careful with forged signatures.”
For the first time, Victor blinked.
It was small.
But she saw it.
He stood and walked to the window.
“Richard was trying to protect your family.”
“From Rose?”
Victor turned.
Now he knew.
Evelyn watched him calculate.
“Rose is bitter.”
“Rose is my sister.”
“She signed away nothing because she owns nothing.”
“Then why did you ask her to sign?”
Victor said nothing.
Evelyn stood.
“I’m not selling the warehouse.”
Michael rose beside her.
Victor’s calm finally cracked.
“If you walk out, I call Michael’s loan today.”
Michael nodded.
“I know.”
“You’ll lose your restaurants.”
“I might.”
“Hundreds of employees.”
“I’ll tell them the truth and do everything I can to protect them.”
Victor looked at Evelyn.
“You would let your son lose everything over pride?”
Evelyn stepped closer.
“No. I would let my son face the consequences of his choices so you can no longer own him.”
Victor’s jaw tightened.
As they reached the door, he said, “The necklace is worth less than what this family is about to lose.”
Evelyn turned.
“You still don’t understand.”
She looked directly at him.
May you like
“We are not fighting for the necklace.”
That was when Victor finally looked afraid.
