Chapter 7 - JULIAN HAD BEEN LYING TO HIS OWN MOTHER TOO
The second layer came from Victoria.
Accidentally.
During the conference-room argument she said:
“You told Julian yourself you had two million dollars in retained earnings.”
Elena stared.
“What?”
Victoria stopped.
Too late.
Everly House did not have two million dollars sitting around.
It had retained earnings accumulated across several years, but much of that had been reinvested into equipment, payroll reserves, warehouse improvements, and seasonal operating capital.
Elena had once told Julian the company was valued informally around that range.
Not cash.
He had translated company value into available money.
Then given the number to Victoria.
Rebecca asked:
“What did Julian tell you Elena would contribute?”
Victoria answered too quickly.
“Nothing personally.”
Elena waited.
Victoria looked away.
There it was.
“Say it.”
Victoria’s voice dropped.
“He said Everly House could provide working capital temporarily.”
“How much?”
“No specific amount.”
“How much?”
Victoria finally answered.
“Seven hundred fifty thousand.”
Elena laughed.
She could not help it.
Victoria looked offended.
“Elena—”
“My company does not have $750,000 sitting around waiting for your son.”
“He said you had reserves.”
“My reserves make payroll.”
“Mercer House has enormous property value.”
“Then refinance it.”
“We already did.”
That was the problem.
Mercer House had refinanced repeatedly.
The lender’s collateral coverage was thin.
Selling part of the acreage would reduce debt, but Victoria refused because the gardens and grounds were central to the family identity and venue brand.
Julian had proposed another solution.
Elena.
Not only management.
Working capital.
Victoria believed Elena had agreed after marriage.
Elena had not.
But then another contradiction appeared.
Victoria said:
“Julian told me the loan would be structured.”
“What loan?”
Now Victoria looked confused.
“He said Everly would lend Mercer House the money. Not give it.”
Elena looked at Rebecca.
They had found no such agreement.
No draft.
No board authorization.
Nothing.
Julian had been telling the lender one story.
Victoria another.
Elena another.
He was not simply obeying his mother.
He was managing all three women toward the outcome he wanted.
For the first time, Victoria looked less powerful.
And more used.
May you like
That did not make Elena forgive the rag.
It made the structure clearer.
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