Chapter 3 - THE DEBT BEHIND THE FIREWORKS
Elena discovered the financial problem the next morning.
The terrace looked hungover.
Empty champagne glasses stood beneath wilted flowers.
Burned-out fireworks tubes filled two trash bins.
Rufus slept under the breakfast table.
Serena did not come downstairs.
Julian did.
He looked like he had not slept.
“Can we talk?”
Elena poured coffee.
“You can.”
Julian sat across from her.
“The club project is early stage.”
“There is no club project.”
“Mom.”
“Not on my property.”
Julian rubbed his forehead.
“I should have discussed it with you earlier.”
Elena almost laughed.
“Earlier than showing investors architectural renderings?”
“They were concepts.”
“People were measuring my shoreline.”
Julian looked down.
Elena waited.
Eventually he said, “My development company has a liquidity problem.”
That was not what she expected.
Julian Hale had spent fifteen years developing high-end residential projects around Chicago and southern Wisconsin.
From the outside, Hale Urban looked prosperous.
Elena knew better than to assume buildings equaled cash.
“How bad?”
Julian hesitated.
“Bad enough.”
“Numbers.”
“We have two projects delayed by financing. Another buyer backed out. I personally guaranteed part of a construction facility.”
“How much?”
“Three-point-four million.”
Elena set down her mug.
“Julian.”
“I’m not asking you for three million dollars.”
“Good.”
“The lake project would solve a lot.”
“By using my land.”
“By creating income from property that costs you almost two hundred thousand a year to maintain.”
Elena stared.
“So now you’re doing me a favor.”
Julian’s expression tightened.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Then say what you mean.”
He looked toward the staircase.
“Serena built the model.”
Of course.
Serena had spent seven years in luxury hospitality marketing before marrying Julian five years earlier.
She understood branding.
She understood wealthy clients.
She also understood that “private family estate” sounded more exclusive than “commercial event venue.”
Elena asked, “Did she know you didn’t have permission?”
Julian did not answer fast enough.
“Julian.”
“She thought you would agree.”
“Why?”
“Because the trust ultimately benefits me.”
Elena felt anger rise again.
“After I die.”
He looked ashamed.
“Yes.”
“Do you understand how different those sentences are?”
“Yes.”
Serena appeared in the doorway.
“Can we stop pretending this is some tiny cottage you’re emotionally attached to?”
Elena turned.
Serena wore white linen and sunglasses pushed into her hair.
“It is seventy-three acres sitting almost empty.”
Julian said, “Serena.”
“No. She needs to hear it.”
Elena stared at her daughter-in-law.
Serena continued.
“Julian is carrying a real company with real employees. You have an asset that could solve the problem.”
“My home.”
“An asset.”
“My home.”
Serena exhaled sharply.
“Arthur understood legacy.”
The room went cold.
Elena said, “Do not tell me what my husband understood.”
Serena folded her arms.
“Then tell us why he left Julian all this if he didn’t expect him to use it.”
Elena looked toward the blue file beside her coffee.
“Maybe he didn’t leave Julian what you think he did.”
Serena’s confidence flickered.
May you like
Julian looked at the file.
For the first time, financial fear became personal.
