The Mansion Across the Street

PART 2 — The Lease He Couldn’t Renew

Jason called me seventeen times before noon.

I answered none of them.

Instead, I stood in the grand entrance hall of my grandfather’s mansion, looking at the enormous chandelier hanging above the marble staircase.

Everything smelled exactly as I remembered: polished wood, fresh roses, and the faint scent of my grandfather’s favorite cigar.

Charles, the estate manager, placed my suitcase beside the staircase.

“Your grandfather would have been very happy to see you return, Mrs. Whitmore.”

I smiled sadly.

“I wish he were still here, Charles.”

“So do I, ma’am.”

He handed me a thick folder.

“Your attorney asked me to make sure you reviewed these documents. The property portfolio has been transferred into your name according to your grandfather’s trust.”

I opened the folder.

There were several commercial properties, investment accounts, and residential estates.

But one document immediately caught my attention.

Mercer & Table Headquarters — Commercial Lease.

My grandfather’s company had purchased that building twelve years earlier. Jason had rented it long before we met.

After our wedding, I had suggested he expand into the vacant second floor. I had even negotiated favorable terms on his behalf.

Jason had always believed he was dealing with an ordinary property management company.

He had no idea the building belonged to my family.

“When is his lease renewal?” I asked.

“Monday morning, ma’am.”

“Has the renewal offer been sent?”

“Not yet.”

I closed the folder.

“Then let’s wait.”

At 2:30 that afternoon, Jason finally appeared at the mansion.

Charles informed me that he was waiting outside the gates.

I looked through the security camera.

Jason was wearing the navy suit he had worn to our divorce hearing. Brooke stood beside him, looking impatient.

“Let them in,” I said.

Five minutes later, they entered the drawing room.

Jason barely acknowledged the beautiful surroundings. His eyes were fixed on me.

“What the hell is going on, Nora?”

I calmly poured myself some tea.

“Good afternoon to you too.”

“Don’t play games. How do you own this place?”

“My grandfather left it to me.”

“Your grandfather was a retired businessman!”

“He was also a very successful investor.”

Jason stared at me.

“You told me your family was comfortable, not wealthy.”

“I never told you that. You simply never asked.”

Brooke shifted uncomfortably.

Jason ignored her.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

I set down my teacup.

“Would it have changed anything?”

He opened his mouth, then closed it.

I continued.

“You remember when your company couldn’t afford its suppliers? When you were worried about making payroll? When I worked through the night fixing your accounts?”

“Of course.”

“You remember telling me we couldn’t afford to replace my grandmother’s earrings?”

Jason looked away.

“And yet you had enough money to buy Brooke a diamond bracelet.”

Brooke immediately touched her wrist.

“That’s none of your business anymore,” she snapped.

I turned toward her.

“You’re right. It isn’t.”

Then I looked back at Jason.

“So why are you here?”

He straightened his jacket.

“I think we should discuss the future of Mercer & Table.”

I almost smiled.

“Your company?”

“Yes. The business I’ve spent years building.”

“The same business I helped build?”

He frowned.

“Nora, don’t start.”

I opened the folder Charles had left on the table.

“Your commercial lease expires on Monday. The property owner has changed, and the new owner will be reviewing all existing agreements.”

Jason’s expression tightened.

“What does that have to do with you?”

I looked directly into his eyes.

“Everything.”

For several seconds, nobody spoke.

Then Jason laughed.

“You can’t possibly be suggesting you’d interfere with my business because of a divorce.”

“I’m suggesting that business agreements should be handled professionally.”

“You’re my ex-wife!”

“Exactly. And I am no longer obligated to give you special treatment.”

Brooke stepped forward.

“This is ridiculous. Jason built that company himself.”

I slowly closed the folder.

“Then he should have no trouble finding another location.”

Jason’s face turned red.

“Nora, listen to me. We can work something out. You don’t want to destroy everything we built together.”

I stood.

“Jason, you destroyed our marriage. Don’t confuse that with my responsibility to save your business.”

He stared at me, realizing that the woman standing before him was no longer the quiet wife who had once covered his mistakes.

As they walked toward the door, I added one final sentence.

“Have your attorney contact mine. Monday is still the renewal deadline.”

Jason turned around.

“You’ll regret this.”

I smiled politely.

“No, Jason. I think I already regret four years.”

That evening, Charles brought me another message.

Jason had called my attorney, requesting an emergency meeting.

And apparently, he wasn’t the only one suddenly interested in speaking with me.

Several of his business partners had started calling.

They had heard who owned the building.

And they were beginning to ask questions about the company’s finances.

Questions Jason had hoped nobody would ever ask.