Unfinished Business

By three, Amelia was sitting in a small conference room at Apex Distribution's main office. Arthur Hadham sat across from her.

He was in his late fifties and looked tired. His suit was expensive, but the dark circles under his eyes stood out. He kept rubbing his forehead as he explained the company's situation.

“We've had some problems with the new sorting system,” he said, pointing toward a chart on the screen. “But the company still has strong potential. What we're looking for is a minority investor who can help us recover while we finish the expansion.”

Amelia barely glanced at the screen. "Mr. Hadham.”

Arthur stopped.

“I don't want to invest.”

He looked at her.

She continued. “I want to buy eighty percent of the company.”

Arthur stared at her. "You want a controlling interest?”

“Yes.”

“Mrs. Vance, your family is involved in luxury retail and real estate. Why are you suddenly interested in logistics?”

“Because I want to diversify.” Amelia kept her expression calm. “Luxury assets are expensive, but they're not always useful. I want something more practical.”

Arthur studied her. "Logistics isn't exactly glamorous.”

“I'm not looking for something glamorous.” She replied calmly.

Arthur looked down at the financial records on the table, then back at her. Twenty-two million in quick cash would be enough to clear the company's debt and give him room to breathe.

For a moment, Amelia thought he was going to agree.

Then he leaned back in his chair and shook his head. "I can't do it, Mrs. Vance,” Arthur said. “I can't sell the company to you.”

Amelia's eyes narrowed slightly. “If it's a matter of valuation, I can increase the offer to twenty-five million." she continued. "I can give you cash or have it wired to your holding account by tomorrow afternoon. You won't get a better restructuring deal from any bank.”

Arthur shook his head. “It isn't about the money. Twenty-five million is more than enough.”

“Then what is the problem?” Amelia asked, her fingers tightening around her tablet. “Is there another buyer making a play for Apex?”

“No.”

“Do you have a personal issue with me or my husband's firm?”

“No, nothing like that.” Arthur rubbed his forehead again.

Amelia stared at him. “Then what is it?”

Arthur hesitated.

Amelia couldn't afford to lose Apex. The logistics network, the trucks, the fuel contracts, and the warehouse routes were a major part of her 180-day preparation strategy. Without them, she would have to find another way to move supplies without drawing attention.

She lowered her voice. “Mr. Hadham, I genuinely need this company,” she said, looking him straight in the eye. “If the money is right, and there are no competing bids, please tell me what is stopping this deal.”

Arthur let out a sigh. He glanced at the closed door before leaning forward over the glass table.

“Your assistant, Elena, contacted one of our senior brokers early this morning to check if Apex was available for acquisition,” Arthur explained.

“That broker passed the inquiry directly to me because Apex already handles secondary transit contracts for several luxury retail brands under the Vance Holdings umbrella. We have a long-standing corporate relationship with your family.”

Amelia's fingers tightened around the tablet.

“When I saw the Vance name on the initial routing inquiry, I didn't want to make any assumptions about who was driving the acquisition,” Arthur continued. “So, I reached out to Vance Holdings' executive office to confirm the credentials.”

He paused. “Your father, Marcus Vance answered the call personally, Mrs. Vance. And he was very clear. He explicitly instructed me not to sell a single share of Apex Distribution to you.”

Amelia kept her face still. “Why would my father do that?”

“He didn't give me an explanation,” Arthur said, shaking his head. “He just told me that any transaction involving you and Apex would be tied up in litigation before the ink could dry. He was very firm about it. I'm running a failing business, Mrs. Vance. I can't afford a legal war with Marcus Vance.”

Amelia finally understood. Her father already knew.

She had tried to move quickly, selling properties and moving money without drawing attention, but she had underestimated how closely her father watched the family's financial dealings.

The moment she started moving large amounts of money, he had noticed. She wasn't operating quietly ananymore.

Her father was watching her, and now he was already blocking her from getting the resources she needed.

Amelia picked up her bag and stood. “Thank you for telling me, Mr. Arthur."

Arthur frowned, surprised by how calmly she took the rejection.

“Mrs. Vance—”

She was already walking toward the door. She had gone to Apex to buy a company. Now she had something much more important to deal with.

Her father.