Chapter 4 - The UltimatumBy Thursday afternoon, the crisis at Dupont Development had reached catastrophic proportions.
The commercial banks had officially called in their loans. Without the Meridian contract to use as collateral, Dupont Development could not secure emergency refinancing. Creditors were circling like vultures, and the company’s board of directors had scheduled an emergency vote of no confidence against Harrison Dupont.
Desperate, humiliated, and utterly out of options, Harrison and Gwendolyn did the only thing they could think of.
They drove out to Meridian Tower, bypassed the security desk by begging an old acquaintance, and rode the private elevator straight to the executive floor.
When the elevator doors slid open, they were not met by a receptionist.
They were met by two towering security guards in dark suits who blocked the hallway with impassable serenity.
“Mr. Callahan is not taking visitors,” the lead guard stated, his voice flat.
“We need to see him!” Gwendolyn cried, her mascara running slightly from tears of panic. “I am Gwendolyn Dupont! Please, just five minutes!”
“Step back from the elevator, ma’am,” the guard instructed, resting his hand casually near his belt.
“Harrison!” a voice called out from down the hall.
Harrison spun around. Walking toward them from the private conference room was Sal Costa, Meridian’s chief legal counsel, accompanied by a junior associate carrying a thick stack of legal bindings.
“Sal,” Harrison breathed, rushing forward. “Thank God. You and I served on the city development board together. You know me. You know my work. This is insane—Meridian can’t just blacklist us over a... a private misunderstanding!”
Sal Costa stopped, looking at Harrison with cold, professional detachment.
“It wasn't a misunderstanding, Harrison,” Sal said smoothly. “It was a character demonstration. And you and your family passed with flying colors.”
“It was a mistake!” Gwendolyn sobbed, stepping forward. “We didn't know who Mr. Callahan was! If we had known he was the founder—if we had known he had money—we never would have—"
Sal held up a hand, cutting her off, his expression turning icy.
“Listen to yourself, Mrs. Dupont,” Sal said, his voice dripping with disgust. “‘If we had known he had money.’ That right there is why your company is dying. You only know how to value people by their net worth. Mr. Callahan didn't cancel your contract because you insulted him. He cancelled it because your company is built on hollow ground, corruption, and contempt for working people.”
Before Harrison could reply, Sal gestured to the associate behind him.
“Hand them the files.”
The associate stepped forward and dropped a heavy, sealed manila envelope into Harrison’s trembling hands.
“What is this?” Harrison whispered.
May you like
“That is the formal notice of permanent debarment from all Meridian-affiliated projects nationwide,” Sal said evenly. “Furthermore, the state attorney general’s office has received our audit findings regarding your structural safety violations on the Oakridge residential project. You’ll be receiving a subpoena by tomorrow morning.”
Sal turned on his heel, walking past them without another glance, leaving the Duponts standing in the empty hallway like ghosts.
