Chapter 3

That afternoon, Harvey pulled up in a white luxury car. Leaning against the hood while sipping coffee, he smiled and said, “Mr. Lane, I had someone appraise your equipment. Twenty thousand, and I’ll take the whole lot. It’ll save you the trouble of moving them around and wasting money.”

I had spent nearly two hundred thousand on that entire set of equipment three years ago.

Even if it was three years old, to value it at twenty thousand? Were they giving change to a beggar?

I glared at him. “I’m not selling!”

The delight in Harvey’s eyes faltered. “Mr. Lane, it’s fine if you don’t want to sell, but will you be able to find a moving company? If you can’t find anyone to move everything, won’t you end up having to sell it all to me anyway?”

Harvey slammed his coffee cup hard against my store sign and knocked it to the ground.

He dusted his hands. Then, he stepped on the gas and drove off.

Just to get my equipment for cheaper, Jasper and Harvey had actually resorted to such underhanded tactics.

There was a lump stuck in my chest, and I felt suffocated with anger. It was sickening.

Jasper and Harvey assumed I was an easy target.

Ms. Zena, Flora, and Wade all assumed I was an easy target too.

However, I refused to back down.

“Bernard,” I said, “take some photos of my equipment for me. Film them from every angle. Then, post them on Marketplace. List them at a hundred and fifty thousand. We’re open to offers, but only sell to out-of-town buyers. No local sales.”

Bernard was stunned. “Mr. Lane, a hundred and fifty thousand? Who’s going to buy them?”

“It doesn’t matter if no one buys them,” I said. “Just post it first.”

I refused to believe that there was only one way of doing things in this world!

After that, I barely slept a wink.

I kept a close eye on the renovation of the new store. Meanwhile, I dismantled whatever could be taken apart from the old store and packed whatever could be boxed up.

That night, I found a list of equipment recyclers and called them one by one.

However, they either claimed that they did not buy used equipment or that it was too far away to be worth their while.

The last one was a man by the surname Louis. He specialized in buying used restaurant equipment, and his business spanned across three states.

He looked at the photos and videos I had sent and asked, “This set of equipment is in great condition. Why are you selling it?”

I did not hold back and gave him a brief explanation of what had happened.

After listening, Mr. Louis remained silent for a moment.

“Bro, just hearing about this makes me furious. Hold on. I’ll bring some guys along and drive over tomorrow to check it out in person.”

The next afternoon, Mr. Louis arrived in a van with two technicians.

After inspecting the equipment, Mr. Louis said, “This set’s in great condition. I’ll give you a hundred and ten thousand and haul it away immediately.”

I held out my hand. “Deal, but on one condition. You have to haul it away today. I’m on a tight schedule.”

Mr. Louis shook my hand with a smile and nodded. “Don’t worry. We’ll load it up right now.”

The two technicians then began dismantling the equipment.

Harvey had shown up again at some point, and he was standing at the store entrance. His face turned red with anger as he watched.

“Mr. Lane, what are you doing?!” he exclaimed while getting flustered. “Didn’t I tell you I wanted to buy your equipment? Why did you sell them to someone else?”

I wiped the dust off my hands and looked at him calmly. “I’m not selling for twenty thousand.”

“Then, you could’ve negotiated with me! How much did you pay for shipping by selling it to someone else? Are you out of your mind—”

I interrupted him. “Harvey, I’m free to sell to whomever I want. I’m clearing everything out before the lease expires. Whom I sell to and for how much is none of your business.”

He snorted and walked away.

According to his plans, I was supposed to beg him in tears to buy my equipment. Eventually we would close the deal for twenty thousand. Then, I would slink away in disgrace, never to be seen on this street again.

Too bad.

I made my own plans, and I was just waiting for the new store to open on May Day.

Harvey specifically chose to open his store the same day.

This was going to be quite a show.

On May Day, after cutting the ribbons, we were all set.

It was during the lunch rush, but the dining hall was empty. There was not a single customer in sight.

I pulled out my phone and posted on Stories. [Lane’s Kitchen New Location Grand Opening! Show your receipt from the original location to enjoy 20% off. Valid for three consecutive days.]

Bernard asked me, “Why didn’t you post this yesterday? They won’t manage to come right on opening day.”