Harmon’s expression shifted.His eyes grew more intense, and for reasons unknown, Rafa knew what he was doing.He’d also done this many times before, although only in business meetings with difficult clients.Harmon was prepared to negotiate, and to persuade—to take.This was not good.
“Then I will make it simple.The art collection was just a bonus.You’re here because I seek to buy Autumn Town and the land beneath it.”He signaled Briggs, and as if on cue, the once earnest Mr.Briggs could not look them in the eye as he proffered another envelope.Harmon pushed it toward them, but neither of them moved to take it.
Sal’s hardened voice filled the room.“Apologies,” she said.Her voice almost boomed in his ears.Rafa’s head snapped to Sal.Her gaze looked icy, and he realized that, like the lioness protecting her cub, an instinctive power to protect what was hers had emerged.“It’s not for sale,” she said, narrowing her gaze on him.
Harmon let out a sarcastic, taunting grin.
Rafa noticed something different about Sal.She was no longer the woman he had first met, filled with self-doubt and fear; there she sat, strong, unmoved, and unafraid.Her dark brown eyes shifted to a golden-brown hue from the sunlight.And she looked on at Harmon as if to say,And so you dare?It was time to step back and let her take the reins.
Chapter Eight
And So You Dare?
SAL
Yearsofunresolvedtraumabe damned; she would not allow another person to bully her into acquiescence.Her sisters had scorned her.She was unloved by her mother and constantly criticized by her former colleagues.If this man wanted to be another person to cast her down, then he would have to get in line.
“We came here for the sale and we delivered,” she stated through gritted teeth.
“It’s a shame we can’t have a friendly conversation about this.”Harmon was unfazed, as though he had expected she would reject him.
Sal knew this game.The first person to lose their temper was the loser.But that did not mean she would not strike, and so she retorted, “How you choose to throw your money away when you could have asked for a formal meeting is none of my business.But the fact remains.It is not for sale.”
“I met you, and besides, I’m a patron of the arts.Why not support another artist?TheArt Cards from Nowherewill be displayed at my Tribeca penthouse.”He smiled.
A charm offensive.It would not work.
“You act as if you did not bring us here under false pretenses—”
“I did not.”He didn’t even let her finish, sounding offended.“Which is why I will make it clear to you why the land should be mine.”He motioned for them to peruse the ignored manila envelope.
Rafa took the envelope and studied its contents silently.
“What money did you use to purchase that land?”Harmon asked.
“Why are you asking?”Sal asked, clenching her jaw.From beside her, she could hear Rafa take a deep breath.That didn’t sound good.“What is it?”she asked him.
Rafa looked up at Sal, and just as he was about to speak, Harmon interrupted.
“I am directly related to Claire Liang.I assume the money she left you was used to purchase the land for Autumn Town and to build the structure.So if you will not sell it, even with my generous offer, since you used money that was not yours to begin with, I will have to take it from you the hard way,” he said coolly, hands interlaced.He waited, but Sal did not respond.She gave him an icy look of restraint instead.“If you fight me, I’ll seize Autumn Town, the house, and the land she gave you, though you can keep the cat,” he finished.
So her choice was to sell Autumn Town or risk losing everything?That was ridiculous.Sal appeared certain and unbothered in front of Harmon, a trick she had learned in her childhood from dealing with her mother, but deep inside, she still had questions.She thought of Claire and Autumn Town.She thought of all the little pockets of joy she had been building—something that finally felt like hers.All the sleepless nights, the community she built, the friendships she deepened with Willow, and the love she and Rafa formed brick by brick came to her mind.Autumn Town was not just a place; it was a testament to her new life, an ode to Claire, and a symbol of her beating heart.How dare he threaten to take it!How she ever considered him even remotely attractive, she did not know.His beauty had disarmed her.The way Claire’s name escaped his mouth felt like the sting of a viper.Poisonous and filled with acrid lies.She would not fold.
“How do I know you’re not just some sort of land grabber?And why here, of all places?”she asked, scowling.
Harmon lifted his hands, palms up, and shrugged.“The reasons are as clear as day.I want only what is mine.”
“That’s debatable,” Sal said.Claire had left everything to Sal in her will, so there shouldn’t be a problem—would there be?
Harmon took a deep breath.“So you’re going to fight me on this?You’ll lose,” he said it as though it were a fact.“My lawyers are the best, and my connections are vast.Just take my money.I’ll allow you to continue running Autumn Town on lease—with generous terms, of course.”
Sal couldn’t believe what he was saying.White-hot rage bubbled inside her.She felt her temples throb as she clenched her fists.“I’m flattered, but no,” she said in a stony tone.
“I didn’t take you for the stubborn type.”He leaned forward, clearly annoyed, as his lips formed a tight line.“Salome Poe, top of her class in NYU oral surgery, accepted into the Philippines’ most prestigious master’s program for dentists, only to be crushed under my fingers.”He shook his head as though remorseful about what he was about to do, but he pressed on.“Very well.Once all of this is over, let it not be said that you were not offered a gracious exit.”He stood up from the table.“Thank you for your time.Take the sale, you’ll need my money for what’s coming.”
“Actually, we do not.”Sal stood and ripped the signed papers.“We will return your check.”
A stunned silence filled the room.
