Chapter 9 - THE ULTIMATUM
Marcus pulled out a final legal document and slid it across the desk directly in front of Arthur Vance.
"Arthur," James said, laying out the terms with mathematical precision. "Here is how this morning is going to play out. Option A: Mercer Capital officially pulls out of your twelve-million-dollar loan agreement. By noon, I will file formal complaints with the Housing Authority, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Texas State Attorney General's office regarding your illegal housing practices. By the end of the week, your assets will be frozen, your properties will be condemned, and you will be facing millions of dollars in fines and potential criminal negligence charges."
Vance looked at the documents, his chest heaving with panic. He knew James had the financial power and legal muscle to completely obliterate his company in a matter of days.
"What... what is Option B?" Vance choked out, his voice trembling.
James pointed a single finger at the document on the desk.
"Option B: You sell the entire 4th Street Apartment Complex—including the land, the structures, and all legal rights—to the Mercer Charitable Foundation today. At a ninety percent discount off market value."
Vance gasped, standing up out of his chair. "Ninety percent?! That's highway robbery! That property is worth three million dollars!"
"It was worth three million before you let it rot," James countered without blinking. "I am offering you three hundred thousand dollars. Enough for you to pay off your immediate debts and liquidate the legal liability before you go to prison. You sign the deed over to my foundation right now, or Option A takes effect in sixty seconds."
James pulled his watch out, looking at the second hand tick by.
"Ten seconds, Arthur."
Vance looked at Marcus's stone-cold expression, then at James's unwavering eyes, and finally at Tommy, who was standing tall and proud beside them. Vance realized he had no moves left. He was completely trapped in a cage of his own greed.
With shaking fingers, Vance grabbed a pen from his desk, flipped to the back page of the contract, and signed his name on the dotted line.
Marcus immediately pulled the signed document back, checking the signature carefully before nodding at James. "It's official, Mr. Mercer. The property belongs to the Mercer Foundation."
James stood up, buttoning his jacket. He looked down at the defeated slumlord with supreme disdain.
"You have twenty-four hours to clear your personal items out of this building, Vance," James said softly. "If I ever catch you harassing a tenant in this city again, I will buy every debt you owe and crush you financially until you don't have a penny left to your name."
Without waiting for a response, James turned and walked out of the office, with Tommy and Marcus following right behind him.
As they stepped into the elevator, Tommy was practically breathless. "Mr. Mercer... I can't believe what I just saw. You bought the whole building?"
James turned to Tommy, a genuine, warm smile breaking across his face.
"I didn't buy it for myself, Tommy," James said. "The Mercer Charitable Foundation buys neglected properties, completely renovates them into modern, safe, eco-friendly housing, and gives them to the families who live there."
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Tommy blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, Tommy," James said, placing his hand on the young man's shoulder, "you are no longer a tenant in a rundown apartment. As of today, you are the head property manager for the entire 4th Street Complex, with a full-time corporate salary, full health insurance benefits, and a guaranteed permanent, fully renovated three-bedroom home for you and Connor—completely rent-free."
