Chapter 4

I drove home, my hands gripping the steering wheel too tightly. The anger was a hot, churning thing inside me. "Sucker." The word echoed.

My father was in his study when I got back. He's a semi-retired businessman, sharp as ever, and usually pretty low-key about our family's financial standing in town.

"Rough day?" he asked, looking up from his papers.

I slumped into a chair. "You have no idea."

I told him everything. The initial investment, my efforts to support the café, the VIP group, the overcharges, and finally, the scene with Kevin and Brittany's dismissive justification.

He listened patiently, his expression growing sterner with each detail.

When I finished, he was silent for a long moment.

"The Daily Grind," he said, his voice thoughtful. "On Main Street, number 112, right?"

"Yes, that's the one."

A slow smile spread across his face, but it wasn't a pleasant one. "Emily, do you remember that portfolio of small commercial lots we acquired about five years ago? The one managed by Henderson Properties?"

I vaguely recalled him mentioning it. It was one of his many quiet investments.

"Well," he continued, leaning back in his chair, "112 Main Street is one of ours."

I stared at him. "What?"

"When Brittany approached you, and you mentioned wanting to help her sister start a business, I told Henderson to give them a favorable lease. A very favorable lease, well below market rate. Call it a 'friends and family' discount, to support a new local enterprise, especially one you were involved in."

The pieces clicked into place. They weren't just exploiting my goodwill as an investor; they were benefiting from my family's generosity on the rent, a fact they were clearly unaware of, or chose to ignore.

My father's eyes narrowed. "They call you a sucker while enjoying a sweetheart deal on our property? After you bankrolled them? I don't think so."

He picked up his phone. "Let me call Henderson. It seems it's time for The Daily Grind's rental agreement to be reviewed, brought up to current market value."

A wave of relief, mixed with a grim sort of satisfaction, washed over me. This wasn't just about money anymore. It was about respect. And they had shown me none.