Chapter 3 - The Preservation of the PracticeAt 8:00 AM the following morning, I arrived at my father's small dental clinic in South Bellhaven.
The morning sun illuminated the faded gold lettering on the front window: RUSSO DENTAL CARE - EST. 1999.
Waiting on the sidewalk in front of the locked glass door was Mr. Arthur Sterling—our ruthless commercial landlord—holding an eviction notice and a heavy padlock.
"Dr. Russo," Sterling sneered, adjusting his cheap suit. "You're late. As per our notice, if the thirty-four thousand dollars in back rent and legal penalties aren't paid in certified cash by eight-fifteen, I am changing the locks and seizing the equipment."
I pulled my keys from my purse, my posture tall and straight. "Mr. Sterling, I have ten thousand dollars in certified cashier's checks right here—"
"Ten thousand isn't thirty-four thousand, Doctor!" Sterling interrupted smugly. "I already signed a lease agreement with a commercial pharmacy chain to take over this space on Monday. Pack your bags."
SCREECH!
Two sleek, armor-plated midnight-black Cadillacs pulled up to the curb, blocking the street.
The rear doors swung open.
Marcus Vance stepped out, wearing a sharp dark suit, followed by four broad-shouldered private security guards.
Arthur Sterling's face turned paper-white. He took a panicked step backward against the brick wall. "W-what is this?! Who are you people?!"
Marcus ignored the landlord completely. He walked up to me, pulling off his leather glove, bowing his head in deep respect.
"Good morning, Dr. Russo," Marcus announced smoothly. "Don Salvatore sent us to ensure your clinic operations remain uninterrupted."
Marcus pulled a heavy leather document pouch from his coat, handing it directly to Arthur Sterling.
"Mr. Sterling," Marcus stated flatly, his baritone carrying a cold, dangerous weight. "In that envelope, you will find a certified check for two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. That represents the purchase of this entire commercial building."
Sterling gasped, his jaw dropping open. "P-purchase...?!"
"Dr. Lena Russo is now the sole owner of this property," Marcus added, sliding a second set of gold keys into my hand. "And as her landlord, you are formally dismissed. If you step onto this sidewalk again, my security detail will handle your relocation."
Sterling grabbed the envelope, scrambling into his car, and sped away down the street as if the devil himself were chasing him.
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I stared down at the gold keys in my hand, then looked up at Marcus in utter, breathless shock. "Marcus... this is too much. I can't accept a building!"
"Don Salvatore does not leave his debts unpaid, Dr. Russo," Marcus smiled warmly. "And he requests your presence at the Lombardi Estate for dinner tonight... to evaluate his post-operative healing."
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