Margaret said the omission was one reason her company had stopped releasing funds.
She also confirmed that the option deposit had not been disclosed in the way she expected.
Rachel asked whether the investor intended to continue supporting the development.
Margaret said no decision would be made until the accounting and legal review were complete.
The meeting ended with an agreement to exchange records through counsel.
Outside, Mark stood beside his truck and watched Margaret’s car disappear into traffic.
He had spent months wondering whether every person connected to Westbridge was working against him.
The meeting reminded him that an investment company could be misled just as a property owner could.
He returned to the shop more cautious about assumptions and more confident about the documentary record.
THE RECORDING AT THE FRONT DESK
Two weeks later Daniel appeared at the shop without an appointment.
Luis was behind the counter when he entered.
Daniel asked whether Mark was there and said he wanted a private conversation.
Luis followed the shop’s ordinary visitor policy and called Mark from the office.
Mark came to the front but did not invite Daniel into the work area.
He asked what Daniel needed.
Daniel said the investors were turning on him and that Mark had enough influence to stop the damage.
Mark replied that he did not control the investors and had not caused the discrepancies in their records.
Daniel lowered his voice.
He said Vanessa had ruined everything by refusing to stand behind the agreement.
Mark said Vanessa was responsible for her own conduct, but Daniel should address his legal questions through counsel.
Daniel glanced toward the security camera above the front counter.
He asked whether the conversation was being recorded.
Mark said the shop used visible security cameras and that Daniel was free to leave.
Daniel hesitated, then said he had never intended for Mark to lose the business.
He had expected the development to generate enough money that everybody would eventually accept the arrangement.
Mark asked whether Daniel understood the difference between a profitable proposal and a valid agreement.
Daniel did not answer directly.
He said he had been told the old family dispute could be resolved if the right pressure was applied.
Mark asked who had told him that.
Daniel looked toward the door and said the conversation was over.
He left without another word.
Mark wrote a contemporaneous note describing the visit and sent it to Rachel.
He also asked the security vendor to preserve the relevant footage according to the shop’s retention procedures.
Rachel cautioned that the remarks were ambiguous and should not be exaggerated.
