During the next twenty days, I lived two completely different lives.
At night, I studied contracts, cash flows, and files with Daniel. I discovered that Apex Fund owned Summit Enterprises’ patents, key land holdings, and most profitable concessions. Gavin had received sixty percent of a debt-laden company that he himself had created. Upon assuming the presidency, he had also signed personal guarantees and early termination clauses.
During the day, I was supposed to look completely defeated.
I cut my hair, put away my fancy clothes, and got a job as a cleaner at a high-end restaurant in Grandview where Gavin closed his business deals. The plan was simple: let him see me on the floor so he would lose his fear.
The opportunity came on a rainy Friday. I was cleaning up spilled red wine near a private dining room when Gavin walked in with four wealthy investors. At first, he did not recognize me. Then he looked down at me as if he had found a trophy.
“Naomi Albright cleaning floors,” he said in a low, mocking voice. “Now that deserves a photograph.”
He took out several banknotes and threw them onto the dirty water.
“Buy something to eat,” he sneered. “I do not want people saying I let my ex-wife starve to death.”
I bent down to pick them up. I did not do it out of necessity, but to give him exactly the image of defeat he wanted.
“Thank you, President Barrett,” I replied, looking him in the eye. “It is always best to pick up the garbage before it smells too bad.”
His smile vanished for a moment, but he kept walking. That same night, feeling invincible, he authorized the purchase of two small construction companies and committed the last of his available cash. He was convinced that no one could touch him.
Then I entered the scene.
The National Chamber of Home Builders organized a grand gala at a luxury hotel on High Street. Gavin arrived with Celina, who wore a flashy sequined dress and spoke of her corporation as if she had built it herself.
I appeared as the executive director of Apex Fund.
I was wearing a simple black suit, my short hair was combed back, and I was wearing my late mother’s pearl necklace. As I crossed the room, Gavin spilled part of his drink in shock.
Celina was the first to react.
“Look who got a borrowed dress,” she shouted, attracting the attention of the nearby guests. “Three days ago she was cleaning toilets, and today she has come looking for a rich man.”
Several guests turned around in silence. Gavin approached me with a strained smile.
“Leave before I have security throw you out again,” he whispered threatingly.
“I did not come as your ex-wife,” I replied, raising my voice so others could hear. “I came as the representative of your main creditor.”
The President of the Chamber approached us and shook my hand in front of everyone.
“Director Albright, it is an honor to welcome the Apex Fund,” he said warmly. “Your participation can determine the future of our national projects.”
The color left Gavin’s face.
The next day, we activated the first clause. Apex Fund had acquired the debt of three regional banks and control of the main steel and cement suppliers. We suspended deliveries until Summit Enterprises covered 2.8 billion dollars in overdue obligations.
The cranes stopped in Franklin, Oakville, and Greenfield. The workers did not receive materials. Investors called Gavin in a panic. Financial institutions froze new lines of credit.
