Chapter 1

My landlord, Myron Whitney, showed up with a crew and blocked the front door, insisting the rent get tripled.

"Mr. Perez, this supermarket only does such good business because it sits on my lucky spot of land. A young man ought to know some gratitude!"

"And another thing. My son here's got no degree, but he's sharp. Just find him some VP title to sit in, would you?"

I answered him without hurry.

"Mr. Whitney, Westhill Shopping Plaza runs on product quality and service. Everybody knows our reputation."

"And under the lease, the rent can only go up five percent a year for five years."

He barked back at me.

"Fine, worst case I pay a penalty and be done with it. But have you added up how much you'll lose when this store can't keep its doors open?"

"Landon Perez, if you still won't agree, then get out right now! Plenty of people are lined up to take this spot!"

I turned and walked away.

The next day, he cut off the water and power, claiming I was behind on rent.

The store lost more than a million in a single day.

I looked at that smug face of his and announced the closure that same day.

Myron was thrilled with himself, certain he had me cornered, and went around telling everyone I'd gone bankrupt and was looking to sublet.

I looked at the twenty acres of empty lot across the street.

"Leah Simmons, change the planned project to a large shopping center."

...

1

"Do a full inventory tonight. Every high-value item gets loaded and hauled out."

"Leave the shelving and the cold-chain equipment. Myron can keep it for scrap."

A dozen-odd trucks were parked at the back door.

Box after box of goods went up onto the beds.

That was when Myron came swaggering in with his son, Wayne Whitney.

"I'd like to see who dares touch anything!"

"Landon Perez, you owe me a breach penalty. All this stock stays here to cover the debt!"

He planted himself right in the workers' path.

"Myron, so now you're robbing me in broad daylight?"

He spat back, arrogant as ever.

"This is called reasonable compensation. You cut off my income, so I'm taking your goods to make up for it."

I pulled out my phone and dialed 911.

"Hello, Officer. Someone's causing trouble at Westhill Shopping Plaza and trying to rob the place."

Under ten minutes later, two patrol cars came screaming up.

The officers came in to get the picture.

I brought out the lease and my proof from yesterday's water and power cutoff.

"Officer, the lease isn't up and he's forcing a rent hike. He maliciously cut my water and power too."

"Now he's brought people to stop me from moving my own private property."

The officers read through the evidence and warned Myron in no uncertain terms.

"Take financial disputes to court. Gather a mob to cause trouble again and you go straight into a cell!"

Myron ate it.

"Fine. You win this one!"

Right there in front of the officers, he ripped his copy of the lease to shreds.

"Tomorrow I'll open my own supermarket and take over every last one of your customers!"

"Let's see where a stray dog like you runs to!"

"Let's go," I said.

My employees stood there with their heads down.

"Mr. Perez, what do we do now?"

"I just paid my rent. If I'm out of work, I'm finished."

I made them a serious promise.

"Don't worry, everyone. Landon Perez never shortchanges his own people."

"Anyone willing to stay on with me gets three months of paid leave starting tomorrow."

"Come back in three months, and your base pay doubles."

A stunned cheer broke out from the crowd.

Then I placed a call.

"Director Barrett, the permits for that Westhill lot can go through now."

"And do me a favor, pull together the best construction crew in the city. I want them on-site tonight."

Three hours later.

Dozens of bulldozers and excavators rolled onto the empty lot across the street, engines roaring.

Floodlights turned the night bright as day.

Myron saw the commotion across the road.

He grabbed a bullhorn and yelled at me.

"Landon Perez, gone bankrupt so now you're hauling bricks on the site over there?"

"Want me to spare you a bite to eat?"

I paid no mind to his barking.

Leah handed me a document.

The development permit for the state-level commercial complex, Stellar Century.

I gave a cold smile.

"Myron, your good days are over."