Chapter 5 - The Landlord in the Shadows
At two o'clock that afternoon, a sleek black town car pulled up outside the historic limestone facade of the Philadelphia Union League.
Lissa stepped out, wearing a sharply tailored navy cashmere coat, ivory silk blouse, and low leather heels. Gone were the gardening gloves and the worn denim. In their place stood a woman whose poise commanded instant deference from the doorman, who tipped his cap with an instinctive bow.
She was escorted up the grand spiral staircase to a private corner dining room overlooking Broad Street. Seated by the fireplace was Arthur Pendelton, senior managing partner of Pendelton, Vance & Ross—the city’s oldest and most discreet asset management firm.
"Lissa, my dear," Arthur said, standing with a warm smile and kissing both of her cheeks. "It has been nearly four years. You look radiant, though a bit windswept."
"I spent the morning clearing rotted timber with an excavator, Arthur," Lissa laughed softly, taking the leather armchair across from him. "It does wonders for the circulation."
Arthur chuckled, pouring sparkling mineral water into two crystal goblets. "Your grandmother would be proud. Eleanor never could stand sitting idly when weeds were choking a good bed."
His expression softened, turning serious as he placed a thick, gold-embossed leather portfolio on the linen tablecloth between them.
"I pulled the full register of the Eleanor Teague Heritage Corporation as you requested," Arthur said, adjusting his spectacles. "For seven years, you honored your mother's condition: you lived as an ordinary wage earner to see if the man you chose loved you for your character rather than your balance sheet."
Lissa looked out the arched window toward the gleaming glass spires of Market Street. "He failed the test, Arthur. Thoroughly and completely."
"I see," Arthur sighed gently. "Then you wish to assume direct executive control?"
"Tell me what we own," Lissa said.
Arthur opened the portfolio, turning to the commercial real estate schedule. "Through three interlocking holding entities—Teague Heritage, Keystone Keystone Commercial, and Penn-Delaware Realty—the trust holds fee-simple title to forty-six commercial assets across eastern Pennsylvania. Total valuation exceeds four hundred and twenty million dollars."
He tapped a specific page in the prospectus.
"Most notably, Lissa: you own Meridian Tower. All thirty-two floors. You are the sole landlord of Apex Metro Partners, and you own the master lease for the commercial suites Bowman Capital is currently attempting to secure."
Lissa traced the photograph of Meridian Tower with her finger—the very building Harrison boasted about conquering, the very building where he had promised his mistress a brand-new life.
"When is the lease execution scheduled?" Lissa asked.
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"Friday morning at eleven o'clock in the penthouse boardroom," Arthur replied with a faint, knowing smirk. "The brokers and the Bowman family requested a ceremonial signing."
Lissa closed the folder with a clean, decisive snap. "Notify the building management. The managing landlord will attend in person."
