“Z,” he said, trying a softer tone—the tone he used to cajole her. “I don’t know what happened to you, but this is big business. Maybe… maybe we can collaborate. I mean, you know me. I’m the best builder in Atlanta.”
Zelica smiled slightly.
“Oh, I know you very well, Quacy.”
Then she stood up.
“I don’t have more time, but I will give you a chance. My team”—she glanced at Seek—“will do due diligence. A complete life-diligence of your company. We need to see your accounting, your list of assets, and your list of debts. We will not invest a single dollar in a company that is not transparent.”
Quacy hesitated. Opening his books would be a disaster. His company wasn’t as healthy as he bragged.
“Why does it have to be so complicated?” he asked. “It’s me, Z. Your ex-husband.”
“Precisely for that reason, Mr. Quacy,” Seek interrupted. “We must be professional. Take it or leave it. If you reject the audit, we will consider your proposal void and offer our land to another developer. I heard your competition from Buckhead is very interested.”
That was a threat.
Quacy was cornered. If he withdrew, he lost the biggest project of his life. If he moved forward, he had to open his wounds.
“Fine,” he said, forced. “Fine. Audit. I’m not hiding anything.”
Zelica nodded.
“Mr. Seek’s team will contact you. Good afternoon.”
Quacy was escorted out of the mansion. He got into his car with his knees shaking. He didn’t know if he had just escaped danger or if he had just walked into a trap. What he knew was that the Zelica he had just met scared him.
He returned to the apartment at the Sovereign in a mess.
“Babe!” Aniya greeted, jumping off the sofa. She was wearing new silk lingerie. “How did it go? Are we rich yet? When can we start planning the wedding in Turks?”
“Shut up for a second, Aniya. I’m thinking,” Quacy shouted, throwing his jacket on the floor.
Aniya was surprised.
“Hey, why are you yelling at me?”
“The investor is complicated. It’s… it’s really messed up.”
“What do you mean, complicated? Did they say no?” Aniya asked, her tone starting to get anxious.
“No. Not yet. But my God, you’re not going to believe this.”
