“I said may.”
He stared.
“Do you know Lake Union?”
“I know the name.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
Vivian disliked that he had learned her habit of forcing precision.
“Yes.”
She took out her phone.
“Lake Union has financed two Cross developments.”
“Current?”
“One.”
Ethan leaned back.
“Convenient.”
“I did not authorize anyone to buy your note.”
He smiled without humor.
“I didn’t say you did.”
“You implied it.”
“I said convenient.”
Vivian called her chief acquisitions officer.
Martin answered immediately.
“Vivian.”
“Lake Union Capital.”
Silence.
One second.
Two.
Too long.
“What about them?”
“Did they acquire Briar Ridge’s debt?”
Another pause.
“Where are you?”
Vivian’s face changed.
“Answer.”
“I need to pull the file.”
“You don’t need a file to tell me whether you coordinated it.”
Ethan watched her.
Martin lowered his voice.
“We discussed defensive acquisition options.”
“Did you tell them to buy the note?”
“Not directly.”
Vivian stood.
“What does not directly mean?”
“We made clear that debt consolidation could simplify title negotiations.”
Pete swore.
Ethan did not.
He just looked at Vivian.
That was worse.
She turned away.
“Who approved that?”
“Vivian, this isn’t unusual.”
“Who approved it?”
“The strategic land committee.”
“I sit on that committee.”
“You authorized aggressive acquisition.”
“I authorized competitive offers.”
“Not financial pressure.”
Martin sighed.
“We need the property.”
“That does not answer my question.”
“Three board members were briefed.”
“Names.”
“Vivian—”
“Names.”
He gave them.
None surprised her.
All angered her.
Vivian ended the call.
The office was silent except for Mia’s pencil scratching paper.
Ethan looked toward her.
“Now you know.”
Vivian sat.
“I didn’t authorize that.”
He nodded.
“What does that mean?”
“It means I believe you.”
She blinked.
“That’s surprisingly generous.”
“No.”
He pointed toward the phone.
“You looked angry before you had time to perform it.”
Vivian stared.
Pete coughed to hide a laugh.
Ethan continued:
“Still your company.”
“I know.”
“Still your deal.”
“I know.”
“Still your board.”
“I know.”
“Good.”
Her jaw tightened.
“You enjoy this.”
“Not even slightly.”
He looked toward the window.
“Lake Union sent foreclosure terms yesterday.”
Vivian froze.
“What?”
“Accelerated covenant review.”
Pete said:
“They’re claiming our runway maintenance reserve fell below requirement.”