That evening, Northline’s Victor Saye arrived uninvited.
He chose a table near the front and ordered sparkling water.
When Francine came to greet him, he slid a new purchase offer across the table.
“I’ve increased the price,” he said.
She saw a figure considerably higher than Ethan’s early estimate.
“You still won’t protect the staff?” she asked.
“I’ll interview every employee.”
“That’s not the same thing.”
“No sensible buyer guarantees a job forever.”
“Nobody asked for forever.”
Victor smiled.
“Then we’re negotiating definitions.”
He pointed to the signature line.
“This offer expires tomorrow at noon.”
Francine looked beyond him to Lucia carrying a tray of clean plates toward the kitchen.
She imagined the restaurant painted gray, the tables replaced, and the people who knew its rhythms disappearing one by one.
Then she imagined the invoices Nadine had shown her.
A higher sale price would protect her retirement and settle the debts without fear.
She put the paper in her bag.
“I’ll consider it,” she said.
Victor watched her walk away and was satisfied with how uncertain she looked.

CHAPTER EIGHT — A VOTE WITH SOMETHING TO LOSE

Marissa received an offer from the hotel catering company on Sunday morning.
The position paid more than her old job and included health benefits after a probationary period.
It also required her to accept by five.
She held the phone while Elena read the letter over her shoulder.
“That’s real money,” Elena said.
“Yes.”
“You should be pleased.”
“I am.”
“You don’t look pleased.”
Marissa set the phone on the table.
“I want to see whether the restaurant can be something else.”
Elena leaned back.
“Do you want to work there, or do you want to prove that firing you was a mistake?”
The question stung because Marissa had not asked it of herself.
“Both,” she admitted.
“Then choose the first reason before the second one eats it.”
Marissa read the hotel’s offer again.
“I could take this and forget Harper’s Table.”
“You could.”
“And I wouldn’t be letting anybody down.”
“No.”
“Even if the others stay?”
“Their choices belong to them.”
Marissa stared at the signed offer page.
She had spent so long carrying other people’s emergencies that the prospect of simply taking a decent job felt almost selfish.

At Harper’s Table, the staff representatives had scheduled an open meeting after the Sunday brunch service.
Francine invited everyone, including the employees who had rarely spoken in public.
Ethan agreed to attend only for the first section and then leave while staff discussed his proposal.
Priya brought an accessible summary of the finances and made sure each employee received a copy.
Nadine explained cash flow without pretending it was more cheerful than it was.
The restaurant could remain open only if someone provided capital and if spending controls improved quickly.
Northline offered a faster sale and likely closure for remodeling.
Ethan offered a less certain path with more staff influence.
Remaining independent would require Francine to risk much of her remaining savings.
No option came without cost.