Chapter 6 - The Pawnshop Negotiation
Stripped of his car, his bank accounts, and his corporate title, Julian was forced to confront a reality he had mocked twenty-four hours earlier.
On Thursday evening, Julian and Eleanor were sitting in the back of a greasy, foul-smelling taxicab, heading toward the industrial district on the edge of the city.
In Julian's hands was a leather velvet box containing Eleanor’s prized possession—a genuine five-carat diamond ring passed down from her late husband, valued at eighty thousand dollars. It was the only asset they possessed that hadn't been flagged by Apex Capital's legal team.
"We just need enough cash to hire a criminal defense lawyer, Mom," Julian muttered, his eyes darting nervously out the window. "Once we retain a lawyer, we can file an emergency injunction to stall the bankruptcy."
"My ring..." Eleanor wept softly, touching her empty finger. "That ring was my legacy, Julian!"
"We don't have a choice!" Julian snapped. "It's either the ring or I go to federal prison by Monday!"
The taxi pulled up outside Gold & Diamond Pawn, a dusty shop with iron bars over the windows.
Julian pulled his coat hood low over his face and stepped inside, Eleanor trailing closely behind him. The bell above the door chimed softly as they approached the high counter, where a burly man with tattoos across his neck was polishing a silver watch.
"What can I do for ya?" the pawnshop owner grunted, barely looking up.
Julian placed the leather velvet box onto the counter, popping open the lid to reveal the glittering diamond ring.
"I need to sell this immediately," Julian said, trying to project authority. "It's a GIA-certified five-carat solitaire diamond. Retail value is eighty-five thousand dollars. I am willing to let it go today for fifty thousand in cash."
The pawnshop owner picked up a jeweler's loupe, squinted at the diamond for five seconds, then threw the ring back into the box with a loud clack.
"Five grand," the man said flatly.
Julian gasped. "Five thousand?! Are you insane?! The stone alone is worth fifty thousand!"
"Five grand," the owner repeated, leaning his heavy forearms on the glass counter. "And honestly, buddy, I'm doing you a favor taking it at all."
"Why?!" Eleanor screeched. "That is an authentic heirloom!"
The owner reached under the counter, pulled out a printed black-and-white flyer, and slapped it onto the glass.
The flyer featured a high-resolution photo of Julian Sterling and Eleanor Sterling, along with a prominent red notice from Vance & Associates:
WARNING: ALL ASSETS BELONGING TO JULIAN STERLING AND ELEANOR STERLING ARE SUBJECT TO AN ACTIVE FEDERAL MAREVA INJUNCTION. PURCHASING ASSETS FROM THESE INDIVIDUALS CARRIES IMMEDIATE CRIMINAL LIABILITY FOR RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY.
Julian felt the blood drain from his head. "How... how did you get this?"
"Sent to every licensed pawnshop, auction house, and jewelry buyer in three states two hours ago," the owner sneered. "Apex Capital put out a ten-thousand-dollar whistleblower bounty for anyone who reports you trying to liquidate assets."
May you like
The owner picked up his desk phone, dialing three numbers. "In fact, I think I'll make that call right now."
"No! Wait!" Julian yelled, grabbing the ring box off the counter and dragging his weeping mother out of the shop into the pouring rain.
