Chapter 6 - The Uninvited Guest
The atmosphere in the study turned electric in a split second.
Grant rose from his chair, all trace of warmth instantly replaced by the terrifying, calculating focus that had made him a four-billion-dollar tycoon. “What did you say?”
“Victor’s private security firm took over the mill thirty minutes ago,” Daniel reported, pulling up a live video feed on his tablet. “They’ve locked the perimeter with heavy chains. Victor filed an emergency injunction claiming Holloway Holdings abandoned the commercial development, causing irreparable investor harm. He’s brought forward-moving bulldozers to the Maple Street lot tonight. He claims they’re beginning site clearance ahead of schedule to 'mitigate losses.'”
Emily jumped out of her chair, sheer panic in her voice. “Tonight? But what about the other strays? There are cats nesting in the lower basement, and neighborhood wildlife taking shelter in the old boiler room! If they bring bulldozers in the dark, everything will be crushed!”
Grant walked over to the window, watching the sleet turn into heavy, blinding snow against the Connecticut hills.
“Victor is panicking,” Grant murmured, his mind analyzing the chessboard at light speed. “He took out high-interest bridge loans from offshore lenders to finance his half of the commercial deal. If the luxury condo project collapses, his entire firm goes into receivership. He’s trying to bulldoze the property tonight so the historic structure is demolished. Once the mill is destroyed, the zoning board will have no choice but to let commercial retail take its place.”
Grant turned to Daniel. “Where is Dr. Henderson?”
“Still at the clinic with Maple,” Daniel said. “The puppy is stable, sir, but she needs another forty-eight hours of intensive monitoring.”
Grant nodded. “Good. Daniel, call our lead corporate counsel, Harrison Vance. Tell him to wake up every judge on the appellate circuit. I want an emergency restraining order filed against Dane Development before midnight.”
“Yes, sir.” Daniel rushed out to make the calls.
Grant looked at Emily. She was trembling, her hands clenched into fists at her sides, her eyes blazing with a fierce, protective courage.
“You’re going down there, aren't you?” she asked.
“I am,” Grant said.
“I’m coming with you.”
Grant shook his head. “Emily, Victor Dane is a ruthless snake backed into a corner. He hired roughneck private guards who don’t care about the law. It’s freezing, it’s dark, and it could get dangerous.”
“Those animals have nobody else, Mr. Holloway!” Emily countered, stepping right up to him, refusing to back down an inch. “For nine days, I was the only person who cared if they lived or died. You think I’m going to sit in this warm mansion drinking tea while Victor Dane destroys their only shelter? I don’t care who he hired. I’m going.”
Grant looked into her fierce hazel eyes. For twenty-one days, he had seen exhaustion and compliance. Now, he saw the roaring fire beneath her quiet demeanor. A slow, genuine smile spread across his face—the first real smile his staff had seen in a decade.
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“Get your coat, Emily,” Grant said. “Let’s go protect our mill.”
***
