Chapter 5

I pushed the door open and stepped into the center. Brenda was sitting in a chair across the counter, her eyes bloodshot.

Two men stood hovering over her. One was Joe, and the other wore a nametag that read General Manager, Arthur Vance.

Brenda saw me, and a fresh wave of tears instantly spilled down her face.

“Helen! Thank God you’re here! If I can't get this money back, I’ll never be able to look my daughter in the eye again!”

Arthur dragged a chair over, sat down, and casually crossed one leg over the other.

“Look, it isn't a matter of us refusing to issue a refund. You’re the one breaking the contract unilaterally. If you want out, fine, but you have to pay a penalty of 60% of the contract value.”

“Eighteen hundred dollars?” Brenda's voice choked up, turning sharp with sheer panic.

“I paid three thousand dollars, and you’re only giving me twelve hundred back? What about the equipment? Can't I just return it?”

Joe added, his tone turning hostile, “Mrs. Hill, you already opened and used the equipment, meaning we can't resell it to anyone else. Our company shouldn't have to bear that loss, right?”

Fury boiled hot in my chest. “That is pure gangster logic.”

“We live in a society governed by laws, and everything is handled strictly by the book.” Arthur slammed his hand onto the contract resting on the counter.

I whipped out my phone.

“What do you think you are doing?” Arthur's voice dropped into a sudden, dangerous tone.

“I am letting the police settle this.” Before I could even finish my sentence, I was already dialing 911.

A hand shot out from the side, brutally ripping the phone right out of my grip. Joe stood there holding my device, having instantly disconnected the call.

Right then, my phone blared with an incoming call. Arthur gave Joe a sharp nod, signaling him to cut it.

The second Joe declined the call, the phone rang again. He let out an annoyed hiss and shut it down completely.

That had to be Frank. He must have uncovered something and was trying to reach me.

“I don't even want the three thousand dollars anymore!” Brenda sobbed, tears streaming down her face in heavy streaks.

“Consider it a donation to a pack of stray dogs! I give up! Fine! Just let me leave!”

Arthur said coldly, “You might not want the money, but we want our reputation kept clean. If you just walk out that door and start telling everyone in the neighborhood that our center runs a scam, how am I supposed to keep doing business?”

“Then what exactly do you want?” I glared at him, my vision blurring with rage.

He pulled a sheet of paper from behind the counter and slapped it hard onto the table. “Sign this. It is a formal statement confirming that you are voluntarily waiving your right to any refund. Sign it, and both of you can leave.”

“In your dreams!” I spat, my teeth clenched tight.

The moment Brenda signed that paper, the money would be gone forever.

“Well, then I guess you two won't be leaving today.” Arthur walked over, locked the door securely from the inside, and tossed the keys onto the counter.

“This is false imprisonment!” I roared at him.

Arthur let out a mocking laugh. “Mrs. Parker, I am simply inviting you both to stay and negotiate. A good negotiation requires a solid resolution before anyone goes home, right?”

He leaned in close, his voice dropping to a low growl. “You’re just two old women living entirely alone. It is in your best interest not to make trouble for yourselves. Otherwise, I have plenty of ways to make your lives miserable.”

He took a step back and gestured toward us. “Since these two ladies want to be so stubborn, let’s help them loosen up a bit!”

Joe and a few other heavily built men started stepping forward, cracking their knuckles and grinning viciously.

Suddenly, a heavy, thunderous pounding rattled the front door.

“Police! Open up!”