Chapter 5 - THE BROTHER WHO WANTED EVERYTHING
Enzo Russo believed every valuable thing should eventually belong to him.
His father's businesses.
His family's reputation.
His mother's remaining assets.
And especially the Marigold Theater.
The property occupied an entire corner near a planned redevelopment corridor.
A private developer had offered a substantial sum for the land.
But there was one problem.
Elliot owned the building.
And Elliot refused to sell.
Enzo confronted him at the family estate.
Norah wasn't there.
She heard about it later.
“Sell the theater,” Enzo demanded.
Elliot sat at the kitchen table, reviewing blueprints.
“No.”
Enzo laughed.
“Don't be difficult.”
“I'm not being difficult.”
“You're being childish.”
Elliot looked up.
“The building is mine.”
Enzo leaned closer.
“You don't understand business.”
“I understand the offer.”
“Then you understand it's generous.”
Elliot shook his head.
“The offer is below market value.”
Enzo's smile vanished.
“What?”
“The proposed purchase price is thirty-eight percent below the independent appraisal.”
Enzo stared.
Elliot continued.
“The developer's financial projections also exclude the cost of environmental remediation.”
Enzo's jaw tightened.
“Who told you that?”
“I read the documents.”
For a moment, Enzo looked genuinely shocked.
Then furious.
“You think you're smarter than me?”
Elliot considered.
“In this specific matter, yes.”
Enzo slammed his hand against the table.
Elliot flinched.
But he didn't change his answer.
“No.”
That evening, Elliot called Norah.
His voice sounded strained.
She listened.
Then asked, “Do you want advice or company?”
He paused.
“Company.”
“Okay.”
They met at a quiet diner.
Norah ordered coffee.
Elliot ordered tea without ice.
They sat near the window.
For a while, neither spoke.
Then Elliot said, “I don't want to be afraid of my brother anymore.”
Norah looked at him.
“Then we should find out what legal protections you have.”
He nodded.
“I've already contacted an attorney.”
She smiled.
“Good.”
Elliot looked surprised.
“You aren't going to tell me what to do?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because you already know what you want.”
He studied her.
Then smiled faintly.
May you like
“Yes,” he said.
“I do.”
