Chapter 8 - Closing the Gate
The Northstar option expired in sixteen days.
My attorney explained that rejecting it would trigger demands for repayment, damages, and possibly litigation over Daniel’s authority.
Accepting it would solve the immediate financial crisis.
It would also reward the method used to create that crisis.
I signed three documents instead.
The first formally terminated Daniel as manager.
The second revoked every authorization allowing him to act for me before banks, county offices, contractors, and developers.
The third suspended all new event bookings until an audit confirmed that deposits could be honored.
The decision cost more than money.
Hawthorne Point had a wedding scheduled for Saturday. We relocated it to a nearby inn and paid the difference. Vanessa called vendors, claiming I was destroying families’ plans out of spite.
Daniel appeared at the property while Marisol changed the office locks.
He stood at the gate, holding the old brass key Frank had given him at sixteen.
“You can’t lock me out of my own family home,” he said.
“It isn’t your home.”
“I grew up here.”
“So did Leah.”
“I stayed when Dad got sick.”
“And I thanked you by trusting you with everything.”
He looked toward the cedar grove.
“You think I wanted to sell? I was keeping this place from becoming a tax burden you couldn’t afford.”
“You took money before I agreed.”
“Because Northstar needed commitment.”
“You spent it.”
His eyes shifted toward the house.
That small movement told me more than his answers.
“How much did your construction company owe?” I asked.
“Enough.”
“And Vanessa’s studio?”
“She worked for Hawthorne Point.”
“She helped you perform ownership.”
He stepped closer to the gate.
“If Northstar sues, the LLC collapses. Vendors sue. Couples demand deposits. The bank calls the line. Your precious land gets dragged into years of litigation.”
Fear entered his voice, but not fear for me.
He feared losing the version of himself who had rescued Hawthorne Point.
“I’ll handle the consequences,” I said.
“You don’t know how.”
“Then I’ll learn.”
Marisol closed the gate.
Daniel remained outside with the brass key in his hand.
It no longer opened anything.
Before leaving, he said, “Ask Vanessa what really happened to Dad’s money.”
I turned toward him.
He had already reached his car.
May you like
The threat could have been another distraction.
Leah’s expression told me it was not.
