Chapter IV: The Arrival of the Board
The double glass doors of the restaurant swung open.
Four senior attorneys carrying leather briefcases and dressed in bespoke overcoats entered the dining room, followed by the Managing Director of the metropolitan hospitality group. The staff and patrons fell completely silent as the delegation marched straight through the center aisle, bypassing Victor entirely.
Victor rushed forward, his face flushed with confusion: "Gentlemen, what is going on? We have private reservations tonight—"
The lead attorney pushed past Victor, coming to a halt before the man in the denim jacket.
In front of the entire restaurant, all four attorneys bowed their heads in deep reverence.
"Chairman Vance," the lead counsel announced clearly. "The acquisition contracts for this entire commercial plaza and its operating licenses are finalized. We have executed your emergency transfer orders."
Victor froze. The color drained from his face until he was completely ash-white.
Chairman Arthur Vance. The reclusive billionaire owner of the commercial real estate conglomerate that owned the land, the building, and the restaurant's operational lease.