Chapter 5 - THE SHADOW OF BLACKWOOD"A loan shark named Victor Blackwood is trying to take my home," I explained to Sheikh Hamdan over the encrypted satellite line. "He holds a $650,000 predatory lien created by my corrupt mother."
On the other end of the line, the Sheikh let out a soft, amused chuckle that sounded like gold coins clinking together.
"Ethan, my friend," Sheikh Hamdan said smoothly. "You pulled me out of a burning oil rig when three steel beams were crushing my chest. You bled for me. A six-hundred-and-fifty-thousand-dollar debt to a low-level American loan shark is not a problem. It is a joke."
"I don't just want the debt paid, Hamdan," I said, my voice hardening like cold steel. "I want the company that issued it. I want Blackwood Financial destroyed."
"Consider it done," Sheikh Hamdan replied effortlessly. "My investment firm, Al-Maktoum Global Capital, has been looking to acquire North American distressed debt portfolios anyway. I will purchase Blackwoodās parent holding company by noon tomorrow. Victor Blackwood will no longer be your creditor, Ethan. He will be your employee."
A wicked smile slowly spread across my face. "Send me the transfer confirmation as soon as it clears."
"With pleasure, my brother. Give your wife and son my warm regards."
While Sheikh Hamdan worked his financial magic on an international level, Gertrude, Prudence, and Marcus were celebrating in a dingy two-bedroom rented apartment on the trash-strewn edges of Bayside.
Gertrude was sipping cheap box wine, popping champagne corks, convinced she had delivered the fatal blow.
"He has no choice, Mom!" Prudence giggled, applying cheap press-on nails. "Ethan spent every dime he made in Saudi Arabia building that stupid mansion! He doesn't have six hundred grand! He's going to come crawling back here on his knees!"
"And when he does," Gertrude sneered, her eyes glittering with malice, "I will force him to put my name back on the primary bank accounts. I will make that pathetic wife of his clean our shoes with her hair before I give him a single dime to save his precious house!"
Marcus grinned, shuffling a deck of cards. "I'm gonna ask him for a brand new Porsche. As emotional compensation for kicking me out."
Suddenly, a heavy knock echoed against their apartment door.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Gertrude smirked. "See? I told you. It's him. He's here to beg."
Prudence smoothed down her dress. "Let him wait a minute, Mom. Make him sweat."
"No, let's savor his humiliation," Gertrude said, walking proudly to the door and throwing it wide open. "Well, well, well, Ethan! Have you come to apologize to your motherā"
Gertrude froze.
Standing in the hallway was not a broken, desperate Ethan.
It was three tall, imposing men in tailored charcoal suits, flanked by four broad-shouldered enforcers wearing dark sunglasses. Standing in the center was Victor Blackwood himselfāa ruthless, silver-haired man with cold blue eyes and a scar running down his left cheek.
Gertrude's smile instantly vanished. "Mr... Mr. Blackwood? What are you doing here? I thought our agreement was that you would foreclose on Ethan's property tomorrow!"
Victor Blackwood didn't smile. He adjusted his silk tie and looked down at Gertrude like she was a insect.
"Mrs. Vance," Victor said, his voice flat and terrifying. "There has been a sudden change in corporate ownership."
"W-What do you mean?" Gertrude stammered, stepping back.
"As of two hours ago, Blackwood Financial was acquired in a 100% cash buyout by Al-Maktoum Global Capital," Victor explained coldly. "And the new Board of Directors just issued their first executive order."
Victor pulled a thick stack of legal documents from his leather folder and slapped them hard against Gertrude's chest.
"What is this?!" Gertrude gasped.
"That is an immediate demand for the full acceleration of the $500,000 principal loan, plus a 25% fraud penalty for unauthorized trustee embezzlement," Victor announced. "Total balance due: $625,000. Due immediately."
Gertrudeās eyes nearly popped out of her head. "WHAT?! No! I took that loan out against the mansion! You're supposed to take the mansion from Ethan!"
"The mansion's title deed was cleared of all encumbrances by the new owner this morning," Victor replied smoothly. "The debt has been legally re-assigned to the individual who signed the fraudulent loan paperwork. Which is you, Gertrude Vance."
May you like
Marcus dropped his deck of cards. Prudence screamed.
"You have twenty-four hours to pay six hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars, Mrs. Vance," Victor Blackwood leaned in, his scarred face inches from hers. "Or my asset recovery team will begin seizing everything you, your daughter, and your son own. Down to the clothes on your backs."
