Patricia glared at him.
"That's not relevant."
"It is to me."
She walked closer.
"Marcus, your constant resistance is becoming disruptive."
"Resistance?"
"Yes."
"I'm asking you to follow the bylaws."
"We are the HOA."
"You're the board."
"Same thing."
"No."
Patricia's face hardened.
"Don't lecture me."
"I'm not."
"You always do this."
"Do what?"
"Act like you're smarter than everyone."
Marcus shook his head.
"I don't think that."
"You behave like it."
"Patricia, if there's a rule, show it to me."
She raised the folder.
"There are multiple rules."
"Which one applies?"
"You know what applies."
"That's not an answer."
She stepped closer.
"You are making this personal."
"No. You are."
She stared at him.
Then she said something that Marcus would remember for months.
"People like you always think rules are optional when they're inconvenient."
Marcus's expression changed.
He knew exactly what she was doing.
He kept his voice calm.
"Don't say that."
"Why?"
"Because you know how that sounds."
"I said nothing wrong."
"You know what you meant."
She shrugged.
"You're being sensitive."
Marcus pointed toward the sidewalk.
"This conversation is over."
Patricia didn't leave.
Instead, she followed him.
Marcus walked toward the front door.
She followed.
He turned.
"You're on my property."
"I'm an HOA representative."
"That doesn't change the property line."
"I'm here for official business."
"Then send it by email."
"I need to inspect the issue."
"No."
"Why?"
"Because you don't have permission."
Patricia stepped closer.
"You can't refuse."
"Yes, I can."
She laughed.
"Watch me."
Marcus walked inside.
He closed the door.
Patricia remained outside for another thirty seconds.
Then she left.
Marcus thought that was the end.
It wasn't.
The next morning, he found a printed notice taped to his front door.
FINAL WARNING — NONCOMPLIANCE
He tore it down.
Then he called his attorney.
Daniel Brooks had been representing Marcus for several years.
He listened carefully.
"Did she enter the property?"
"Yes."
"Without permission?"
"Yes."
"Did she threaten you?"
"Not directly."
"Did she make any discriminatory statement?"
Marcus hesitated.
"Something close."
"Write it down."
Marcus did.