Too High a Price

Elizabeth and Adonis looked across the table at Emily and Victor.

"So we've considered it, and we have to decline," Elizabeth said. "The ... additional costs are too great."

"I see," Victor said, unhappily pursuing his lips and adjusting his glasses. "Well, I will provide the financing on a smaller scale, of course, as I agreed." He hit the button. Adonis watched as the operating account for the gym tripled. It'd be enough to expand the footprint somewhat. But it would still be a purely Atlanta institution.

"Emily, it is time for us to leave," Victor said sharply. Elizabeth felt for her daughter in that moment. If the terms hadn't been so ... intrusive, she'd have said yes. And she wished badly to rescue Emily from this situation. But she didn't have the cash for that, either.