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“Well, if that’s the case, you should have also known the Edwards are people who do not easily or ever go back on their words.”
“This, I believe, is a better cause that deserves to be looked into and have you rethink some of your rigid steps to life.”
“You are one funny man, Mr. Blackwood. You hear him, honey?” He turned to his wife before turning to me again. “Rethink some of our rigid steps to life.”
“This is a great cause,” I added with a smile.
Paul rested his back on the couch and folded his arms. “What is your definition of a great cause?”
I paused for a moment and began adjusting my tie. “Doing something that helps the community, of course.”
“By ripping them off, I suppose. I guess that’s how you were able to be as rich as you are. Take their history and give them peanuts.”
“That is definitely not true. My associate was able to offer you more than five million dollars. That’s a hundred times the total value. You are a businessman too, and sure as hell know this is not a rip-off.”
“Hundred times the total value, now you insult my business and people.”
“God, no, that’s not exactly what I meant, and you know it. I am just stating that we didn’t come to you through the backdoor or try to squeeze it forcefully out of your hands, which we are capable of, but we chose to only stick with the part of justice and fairness.”
“Fairness my feet.”
“Seven million dollars for the place,” I muttered, knowing there was no point trying to see reason with the man. “Sign the freaking documents and get seven million cash.”
“You are crazy.” Martha, his wife, said while laughing wearily.
“Ten million, half now, half when you sign the paper.” I continued.
“We are not selling,” Paul exclaimed, holding his wife’s hand.
“Twenty.” I continued, crossing my legs and looking straight into the man’s eyes, willing to give him as much money as he wanted to let him know everyone could be bought, as long as the right amount was mentioned.
“No.”
“Dad.” Their son, Joe, interrupted us, and we turned to see him standing, his face white.
“Joe, that’s enough.” Paul groaned, turning away from him.
“He’s offering an insane amount for that property, Dad, more than the first man.”
“Finally, someone who sees reason,” I muttered, smiling while I faked a salute to Joe, who was furious his dad was yet to accept the deal.
“Everything is not about money, son,” Martha said, grabbing her husband’s hand tightly.
“Thirty million,” I repeated, surprised at myself for going this far with this bargain, but seeing the look of shock on their faces was satisfying to watch.
“Enough,” Paul shouted as he stood and glared at me. “You think you can buy my family’s legacy through money?”
“Fifty million.” I continued, this time looking at my nails before turning toward the man who was red with fury.
“Dad, just accept it,” Joe begged.
“Joe, I said enough!” Paul bellowed, and immediately, Martha stood, rushed toward her son, and began to push him in to the kitchen.
“Tell him to accept it, Mom,” Joe cried. “He said fifty million, for Christ’s sake.”
“Just go to your room, Joe. You don’t understand,” Martha begged him, pushing him out of the sitting room.
“Fifty million, Paul, this is a fair deal for you and your family,” I said, looking directly into his eyes again. “You can retire in a nice home, pay off all of your business and personal debt, and set your children’s children up with generational wealth. You can sit on a nice porch, drinking some sweet tea, watching the beautiful sunsets with not a worry in the world.”
