Chapter 30 - Arthur’s Leather Briefcase
The supply chain squeeze was only the beginning of Vanguard's aggressive tactics. By the end of the week, the city suddenly sent an unannounced zoning inspector to the diner, claiming they had received an "anonymous tip" about structural violations regarding our new patio expansion.
It was a blatant intimidation tactic, designed to bury us in red tape and municipal fines.
That afternoon, I picked up my phone and dialed a number I hadn't needed to call in years.
"Arthur Sterling, Attorney at Law," the crisp, familiar voice answered on the second ring.
"Arthur," I said, pouring myself a cup of black coffee. "It's Evelyn Carter. I need you to bring your leather briefcase down to Elm Street. We have a corporate rat infestation."
Arthur arrived at the diner less than an hour later. He walked through the glass doors wearing a sharp navy suit, his silver hair perfectly combed, looking like a shark smelling blood in the water. He slid into his usual booth in the back, and I placed a massive slice of warm cherry pie and a black coffee in front of him.
"Tell me everything, Evelyn," Arthur said, taking a slow bite of the pie and closing his eyes in sheer appreciation. "I missed this pie."
I sat across from him and laid out the entire situation. I told him about Marcus Vance, the aggressive buyout offer, the sudden cancellation of our supply lines, and the bogus zoning inspections.
Arthur listened silently, his expression growing darker and more calculating by the minute. When I finished, he pulled a sleek tablet from his briefcase and began typing rapidly.
"Vanguard Acquisitions," Arthur muttered, reading the screen. "They are a massive holding company based out of New York. They specialize in hostile takeovers of developing neighborhoods. They use shell companies to buy up the surrounding infrastructure, isolate the holdouts, and bleed them dry in civil court until they surrender the property."
"I am not surrendering anything, Arthur," I stated fiercely. "I don't care how much money they have. I want to fight back."
Arthur offered a terrifying, predatory smile. "Vanguard relies on the fact that small business owners cannot afford the legal fees required to fight a war of attrition. But they have made a fatal miscalculation."
"Which is?" Hannah asked, stepping up to the booth.
"They assumed you were vulnerable," Arthur said, closing his tablet. "They didn't realize that you have the retained counsel of a man who absolutely despises corporate bullies, and who happens to have a very deep, very personal appreciation for this diner."
Arthur stood up, adjusting his tie. "I am going to file a massive injunction against Vanguard tomorrow morning for tortious interference with business contracts and malicious administrative harassment. We are going to tie their entire development project up in federal court for so long that their investors will panic and pull their funding."
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"Can we win?" I asked.
"Evelyn," Arthur smiled smoothly. "I sent a millionaire heir to federal prison because he spilled your chicken broth. I am going to completely dismantle Marcus Vance. Keep serving pie. I will handle the suits."
