Chapter 5 - The Ultimatum
The heavy oak doors of the study opened a few minutes later.
Marcus, the security man from earlier, escorted Gavin Dunmore into the room.
Gavin looked entirely out of place among the antique globes and leather-bound books, yet he wore an expression of smug, victorious confidence.
He didn't look at Matthew; his eyes went straight to Clara standing near the doorway.
"Well, well," Gavin said, a patronizing smile spreading across his face.
"I didn't realize Saint Jude's literature faculty had such exclusive private tutoring arrangements. Does the school board know you're shacking up with a syndicate boss, Ms. Esposito?"
Clara felt a hot wave of anger rise in her chest, but before she could speak, Matthew moved.
In two long strides, Matthew crossed the room and grabbed Gavin by the lapels of his designer suit, hoisting him up slightly against the bookshelf with terrifying speed.
The sound of heavy leather hitting wood echoed sharply in the quiet room.
Gavin's smug expression vanished, replaced by sudden, panicked realization as he stared into Matthew's dead-eyed gaze.
"You talk too much, Dunmore," Matthew said, his voice dangerously low. "And you have a habit of knocking on doors you don't have the key to open."
"I... I have a municipal inspection order," Gavin choked out, his hands clawing weakly at Matthew's wrists.
"Signed by the zoning commissioner. This property is in violation of municipal code 44-B. We're seizing the deed."
Matthew didn't loosen his grip.
"You don't own the zoning commission, Gavin. You own a few councilmen who take your money in dark parking lots. And right now, they're wishing they never met you."
Clara watched, her heart hammering against her ribs, realizing that the conflict wasn't just about her dress or an evening gala.
It was about land, power, and something buried deep in the history of Los Angeles real estate that connected Matthew and Gavin in a way she was only beginning to understand.
Matthew slowly released his grip, letting Gavin stumble back and straighten his tie with trembling hands.
"You think you've won because you found this house?" Matthew asked, walking back around his desk and picking up a manila folder that had been sitting unopened near his computer.
He tossed it onto the glass top. It slid across the surface and stopped right at Gavin's feet.
Gavin looked down, and the color drained entirely from his face.
"That's the original deed to the San Fernando Valley community center where Clara grew up," Matthew said quietly.
"The one your father's real estate firm bulldozed ten years ago under false municipal pretexts—leaving hundreds of families homeless, including hers."
Clara gasped, her hand flying to her mouth as she stared at Matthew, then down at the folder.
Gavin swallowed hard, his voice barely a whisper. "Where did you get that?"
"I told you," Matthew said, his eyes locking onto Gavin with lethal calm. "I know everything that happens in this city. And now that Clara is under my roof, we're going to settle every single debt your family owes her."
May you like
Matthew looked over at Clara, his expression softening just enough for her to see the depth of what he was offering—and the danger that came with it.
"And believe me, Gavin," Matthew added, turning back to the venture capitalist. "I always collect."
