Aaron sat on Vivian's patio, trying to focus on the newspaper in front of him. The smell of smoke still clung to his clothes despite multiple washes.
"Are you just going to sit there all day?" Amanda's voice cut through the morning quiet.
He didn't look up. "Good morning to you too, Amanda."
"Don't you 'good morning' me. Vivian is kind enough to let us stay in her home, and you're treating it like a holiday resort. The garden needs weeding."
"I already mowed the lawn this morning."
"Mowed the lawn?" Amanda scoffed. "A trained monkey could do that. You're useless, completely and utterly useless. Sarah is working herself to the bone, and you're just... here. A waste of space."
Aaron folded the paper slowly. "I also did the laundry, cleaned the kitchen, and fixed the leaky faucet in the guest bathroom. What have you done today, besides complain?"
"How dare you speak to me like that! I am your elder! You ungrateful leech!"
Aaron stood up. "I'm going inside."
"Don't you walk away from me!"
But he was already through the door. In the kitchen, Vivian hunched over her laptop, her fingers pressed against her temples.
"Tough day?" Aaron asked.
Vivian startled. "You have no idea. It's a disaster, Aaron. An absolute train wreck."
"What's going on? Tell me."
She hesitated, then sighed. "Companies are dropping us. It's like Acadia has the plague. Ever since Todd was ousted and I took over, our partners have been distancing themselves. It's coordinated. Todd's cronies are trying to isolate us and force us into failure."
"Can we survive without them?"
"We can afford to lose some of the smaller partnerships. It'll hurt, but it won't be fatal." Vivian leaned forward. "But there are three we absolutely cannot lose. They're holding everything up right now. If they fall, the whole structure comes down."
"Which three?"
"First, Apex Manufacturing. They supply all our high-end production equipment. We've been working with them for over a decade. Cutting them off now would cripple our production capabilities for months, maybe a year."
"And the second?"
"Starfall Advertising. They were one of our closest partners. The day I was announced as CEO, they terminated all their contracts. No explanation, no warning. Just gone. We lost millions in projected ad revenue overnight."
"The third?"
"Titan Enterprises. They're the biggest fish in the pond. They don't just have money; they have influence. If Titan publicly backs us, the others will fall in line. If they drop us, it sends a message that we're finished."
"Have you tried contacting them?"
"Of course. I've called, I've emailed. Apex Manufacturing won't put me through to anyone senior. Starfall's CEO is perpetually 'unavailable.' And Titan's CEO's assistant just keeps telling me he'll 'get back to me.' They're all giving me the runaround, waiting for us to bleed out."
Aaron was quiet for a moment. "Here's what we're going to do. We're not calling them anymore. We're going to research every single thing about these three companies—their finances, their leadership, their secrets. And then, we're going to pay them a visit."
"Aaron, I don't think—"
"Trust me."
---
Three days later, Vivian's living room looked like a disaster zone. Laptops covered every surface, documents spread across the floor. Empty coffee cups formed small towers on the side tables.
"Got it," Aaron said, closing another folder. "We're ready."
"You sure about this?"
"I'm sure. Let's go."
---
The Apex Manufacturing boardroom was sterile and cold. Four executives sat waiting, their expressions somewhere between arrogant and bored. The lead executive, Harrison, didn't bother standing when they entered.
"Gentlemen, thank you for meeting with us," Vivian began. "As you know, Acadia and Apex have had a long and prosperous relationship. I'm here today to ensure that continues. A continued partnership benefits both companies, ensuring stability and consistent revenue for you, and providing us with the quality equipment we rely on."
She laid out the numbers, the history, the mutual benefits. Harrison let her finish, a condescending smirk on his face.
"That's all very nice, Ms. Carter. But things have changed. We've reviewed our position, and frankly, the old arrangement is no longer sufficient."
"I see. Then we're open to discussing new terms."
"Good. If you want to continue this partnership, Acadia will agree to a forty percent price increase across all equipment. You'll also sign a new ten-year exclusivity contract, and you'll cover all our research and development costs for the next five years. Those are our terms."
The other executives nodded, looking smug.
Aaron spoke for the first time. "Mr. Harrison, how much revenue did Apex Manufacturing generate last year?"
Harrison blinked. "I... I don't see how that's relevant. We're talking about a new deal here."
"Just answer the question."
"Roughly one hundred and fifty million."
"One hundred and fifty million. Impressive. And who is your single biggest customer?"
Silence fell over the room. The executives shifted uncomfortably.
Aaron smiled coldly. "Don't all speak at once. It's alright, I already know the answer. Your biggest client is Acadia Media Group. We account for nearly sixty percent of your annual revenue. Sixty percent."
He let that sink in. "I also know, according to these financial reports, that your company is leveraged to the hilt. You have massive outstanding loans, and your profit margins have been shrinking for the last three quarters. You're teetering on the edge of bankruptcy."
The blood drained from Harrison's face.
"Todd Davis is gone. His friendships and backroom deals are gone with him. You're dealing with us now. You will honor the existing contract, at the existing price. You will not disrupt our supply chain. Or you can refuse, and we'll take our business—sixty percent of your revenue—elsewhere. Then you can explain to your creditors why your company is insolvent. The choice is yours."
Harrison stared at Aaron, mouth opening and closing. He looked at his fellow executives, who offered no support.
"We... we accept the existing terms."
"Excellent. Vivian will be in touch to confirm. Have a nice day, gentlemen."
---
Eleanor Vance, CEO of Starfall Advertising, was elegant and sharp. She greeted them politely as they sat down in the upscale restaurant.
"Ms. Carter, Mr. Turner. I must admit, I was curious about this meeting. Why did you wish to see me?"
"We're here about the cancellation of your contracts with Acadia," Aaron said.
Eleanor looked genuinely surprised. "Cancellation? I'm sorry, I'm not sure I follow. We haven't cancelled any contracts."
Aaron slid a stack of papers across the table. "We received this three days ago."
She picked up the papers, frowning. As she read, her expression shifted to anger. "This is my brother's signature. David. He's the COO."
"We're aware. We also know that your brother and Todd Davis are old friends. They play golf together every Sunday."
Eleanor's eyes flashed with fury. "That irresponsible little... I can't believe he would go behind my back like this. I have always maintained that friendships have no place in business decisions. To sabotage a multimillion-dollar partnership out of some misguided loyalty... it's unthinkable."
She looked directly at them. "Mr. Turner, Ms. Carter, please accept my sincerest apologies. My brother has clearly overstepped his authority. This is not how Starfall operates. I will handle David personally. You will have your contracts reinstated by the end of the day, with an added ten percent discount for the next quarter as a gesture of goodwill."
"Thank you, Ms. Vance. We appreciate that."
---
The Titan Enterprises tower gleamed in the afternoon sun. They were ushered to the top floor, into Richard Thorne's palatial office with panoramic city views. Thorne sat behind his large desk, his smug expression fixed on Vivian from the moment they walked in.
"Mr. Thorne, thank you for seeing us," Vivian began. "As you know, a partnership with Titan is crucial for industry stability and—"
Thorne held up a hand. "Ms. Carter, please. Let's not waste time with formalities. I've seen the numbers. I know your situation." His eyes roamed over her again. "I'm not interested in your business plan. I am, however, interested in you."
"I'm not sure what you mean, Mr. Thorne."
"Oh, I think you do. The partnership continues on one condition. You spend the night with me. It's a simple transaction. A little pleasure for a lot of business. Everyone wins."
Vivian went rigid, her face a mask of cold fury.
Aaron's voice cut through the toxic air. "You will apologize to her. Now."
Thorne laughed harshly. "Or what, little man? You'll write me a strongly worded letter? You're in my world now. I make the rules."
Aaron reached into his briefcase and pulled out a folder, sliding it across the polished desk. "Open it."
Thorne glanced at the folder, amused. He picked it up and flipped it open.
The change was instantaneous. The color drained from his face, the smug smirk vanished. He stared at the contents, hands trembling.
"Where... where did you get this?" he whispered.
"Does it matter?"
Thorne slammed the folder shut, eyes blazing with terror and rage. "You have no idea who you're messing with! I'll destroy you! I'll have you buried so deep no one will ever find you!"
Aaron remained calm. "If you or anyone associated with you so much as looks at us the wrong way, the contents of that folder will be sent to every major news outlet, the SEC, and your wife's divorce attorney. You will lose your company, your reputation, and every last penny you have. You will be ruined." He leaned forward. "Now, for the last time. Apologize to Ms. Carter. And sign the contract."
Thorne stared at Aaron, chest heaving. Through gritted teeth, he turned to Vivian. "I... apologize, Ms. Carter. My comments were... inappropriate."
He snatched a pen and scribbled his signature on the partnership agreement.
"A pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Thorne."
---
In the elevator, Vivian turned to Aaron, eyes wide. "How...? What was in that folder?"
Aaron smiled. "Leverage."
They stepped out into the bright afternoon sun, not as victims, but as victors.