Chapter 5 - The Contract
The Lakeview project was worth $680 million.
George’s company, Martinez Urban Partners, had bet heavily on winning it.
Land options.
Staffing.
Consultants.
Loans.
Fiona once told me the project would “put her father in another league.”
Now Dad’s company controlled the final award.
George followed us into the hotel library anyway.
“Arthur.”
Dad turned.
“Mr. Martinez.”
The formality hurt George more than anger would have.
“You cannot let a personal misunderstanding affect a commercial decision.”
Dad nodded.
“I agree.”
George relaxed half an inch.
Then Dad continued.
“That is why your bid will be evaluated exactly as it was this morning.”
George looked confused.
Dad opened the folder.
George’s jaw tightened.
“Because of material risk.”
“Your subcontractor list includes three firms currently under wage-theft investigation.”
“That is not final.”
“We can correct that.”
“And your financing assumes a tax incentive that has not been approved.”
George stared.
Dad closed the file.
“So no. I will not reject you because you insulted me.”
He paused.
“You were already losing.”
George looked like someone had punched him.
I almost felt sorry for him.
Almost.
Dad looked down at his old suit.
“This?”
“You wanted to test us.”
Dad’s face changed.
“No.”
“Come on.”
George’s voice rose.
“You knew who I was. You knew I needed Easton. You came in here looking like a laborer.”
Dad stared.
“I am a laborer.”
“You own billions in assets.”
George laughed bitterly.
“This is theater.”
Dad stepped closer.
“No. Theater is treating a man differently after you learn his net worth.”
George had no answer.
Then Rebecca Sloan, Dad’s general counsel, entered.
She handed him a tablet.
Dad read it.
His expression hardened.
“What?”
I asked.
He looked at George.
May you like
“Someone from Martinez Urban accessed confidential Easton bid data last night.”
George stopped breathing.
