Chapter 7 - The Empire Strikes Back
By Friday, the media fallout from the cancelled engagement had reached a boiling point. The Chicago Business Journal ran a front-page headline: “Mercer Walks Away from Langston Alliance: Is the South Side Project Dead?”
Richard Langston had stayed true to his word. He had legally pulled his forty-million-dollar investment from Daniel’s flagship urban renewal project, causing Mercer Urban Holdings' stock to dip by four percent in a single morning. Corporate board members were in a state of panic, calling for an emergency meeting in the top-floor boardroom.
Daniel sat at the head of the massive glass table, looking completely unfazed as older men in expensive suits shouted over one another.
"Daniel, this is madness!" one board member, a man named Henderson, slammed his fist down. "You insulted the Langstons over a housekeeping incident! We are short forty million dollars for the South Side project! The city will pull our permits by Friday if we don't show proof of liquidity!"
"Then let them pull the permits, Henderson," Daniel said calmly, leaning back in his chair.
"Are you insane?" another executive yelled. "You're destroying your father’s legacy for the sake of pride!"
Before Daniel could answer, the heavy double doors of the boardroom opened.
Maria Reyes walked in.
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She was no longer wearing her plain black uniform or her orthopedic shoes. She wore a sharp, tailored navy pantsuit, her dark hair pulled back into an elegant, professional bun. She carried a sleek leather briefcase and walked with a confidence that made the entire room fall silent.
"Mr. Mercer," Maria said, her voice clear and authoritative as she stepped up to the podium. "The financial briefs from the Vanguard Philanthropic Trust have just cleared the federal wire system."
