Chapter 7 - The Master of Hawthorne Ridge
Carter didn't hesitate. With tears streaming down his face, he grabbed a pen from his pocket and scribbled his signature across the transfer documents, ignoring his wife’s hysterical protests.
""It’s done,"" Carter whispered, collapsing back into his chair, a broken man. ""It’s over.""
""Your corporate badges will be deactivated by noon,"" Lena said, collecting the signed contracts. ""You may collect your personal effects under security escort.""
Evan stood up, buttoning his jacket. ""We're not quite finished. There is still the matter of Hawthorne Ridge.""
Sienna looked up, her mascara smudged, her breath hitching in her throat. ""What does a golf club have to do with this?""
""As I mentioned earlier,"" Evan said, stepping out from behind the table, ""Apex Meridian owns the land beneath Hawthorne Ridge. The master ground lease expires next month. Marcus Reid believes he answers only to members like you. It's time to educate him on who truly owns the ground beneath his feet.""
Evan looked at Tess. ""Tess, would you like to accompany us back to the club? I believe there is an unresolved disciplinary hearing regarding your termination.""
Tess smiled, a radiant expression of vindication spreading across her face. ""I wouldn't miss it for the world, Mr. Cole.""
Thirty minutes later, Evan’s black motorcade pulled into the cobblestone entrance of Hawthorne Ridge Country Club. The mid-morning sun had broken through the clouds, illuminating the sprawling Georgian-style clubhouse with brilliant white light. Members in polo shirts and visors lounged on the terrace, completely unaware of the seismic shift underway.
Inside the opulent administration office, General Manager Marcus Reid was reviewing the club’s quarterly ledger, humming contentedly to himself. The door swung open without a knock.
Marcus looked up with an irritated scowl. ""Who authorized you to come in without—""
The scowl vanished, replaced by sheer, dumbfounded outrage.
Walking into his office was Evan Cole, flanked by Lena Brooks and Tess Morgan. Behind them, looking utterly shattered and defeated, were Carter and Sienna Vail.
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""What is the meaning of this?!"" Marcus barked, slamming his pen onto his mahogany desk. ""Evan, you were issued a formal trespass order on Saturday! How dare you step foot inside this facility dressed like... like...""
Marcus trailed off as his eyes registered the immaculate tailoring of Evan's suit, the sharp authority in his posture, and the weeping, devastated expression on Sienna Vail’s face.
