Back at Alex office, "James, look into acquiring the coffee shop on Elm street that we discussed about this morning," he order his lawyer.
Alexander Pierce tap his pen impatiently against his mahogany desk as he speak to his lawyer over the phone, his tone brook no argument.
James, on the other end of the phone listen attentively. His longtime lawyer, "Okay! The one own by the local, Emily? She must have put up quite a fight to resist your offer then," James remark, his voice reflects a mix of curiosity and professional interest.
"She did quite put up a fight, indeed," Alexander reply curtly, his mind is already churning with possibilities. "However, you know I can not let sentiment get in my way of progress. I have to get that property. I need it for my new development project."
Alex's lawyer nods to himself, even though Alexander can not see it. "Alright, well, legally speaking, there are few avenues we can still explore," he began, his legal mind already assessing the situation. "Since you have try negotiating with Emily directly, but it seems like she is not going to budge easily."
"We can try another means, legally, to subdue her stubbornness," he added.
Alex grunt in acknowledgement. He does not prefer negotiation as a better route to acquire something, not when there are other more effective and efficient methods at his disposal.
"What other ways or option do we have right now?" Says Alex, he press, eager for a solution that will swiftly resolve this acquisition in his favor.
James, is lawyer, answer, "well, we can also look into total domain," he suggested but with a cautious voice, knowing the possible backlash such a move could cause. "But that might not be the best PR move if we consider the community's attachment to the coffee shop."
Alex sigh and wave off the idea with a dismissive gesture. "Total domain may not be the best option now. I don't want to stir up any unnecessary backlash," he muse loudly, with his mind already discarding the notion. "However, what about buying out the entire surrounding properties to put pressure on Emily?"
His lawyer answer, "Yeah, that can work too," he concede, with his legal instinct recognizing the strategic advantage of such a maneuver. "This will give us more leverage in negotiations and make it harder for her to resist."
"This will put her in a tight corner, putting more pressure on her been the only one among the rest who refuse to sell her shop," Alex says, smiling mischievously. "With the news of bringing down the entire shop building, she won't have a choice to sale out the shop."
James laugh, "Exactly!"
Emily, meanwhile, stood before the crowd of determine locals, her voice rings with passion and conviction. "My fellow shop owners, I am sure by now, you have already all heard about what happened at my shop," she says. "I may be the only he has approach for now, but one of you can be the next target, he will resolve to possible buying out the entire building shop."
She continues, "We can not let him bulldoze our means of livelihood, our memories," she declare, her eyes bla e with righteous indignation. "We have to stand together and show him that this community won't be push around."
The crowd cheer loudly before someone ask a question that put the cheer into silence, "So what do we do, Emily?" One of the locals interjected, voicing the doubt which linger in most of the people's mind. "Remember, he has too much money and power."
The crowd nod in agreement to what the person says, someone also added, "I even heard he is a friend to the mayor. He was his major sponsor for his political campaign."
Emily sigh and square her shoulders, but her resolve is unyielding. "Yes, he may have the money and power but he does not have what we have-heart and soul," she said, her words resonate with unwavering determination. "We can not let him buy us out nor intimidate us with his money or power. Sticking together and fight for what's ours is the best thing to do right now."
The crowd, some were convince while most were not. They know how dangerous Mr. Alexander Grayson can be when it comes to business. They have seen how he acquire most of his business territory from people and they will not like to fight against him. They thought it is best the take the money, look for somewhere else and establish another business than to lose their shop and nothing to console themselves.
Soon, Emily discover that not all the locals share her unwavering commitment and determination. Some have already succumb to the allure of Alexander power and wealth, his influence.
James, Alexander's lawyer, is already meeting with some of the locals, offering them juicy proposition that they couldn't refuse. Well, it must be hard to reject $5 million for a shop not worth four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000). Above all they were promised a better place to continue their business.
James has already gotten 2/3 of the locals. The rest were still stubborn but he knows with time they will succumb to his offer.
Emily finds out about the locals who sold their shop, "I can not believe my eyes..." Emily murmur to her friend, her heart is already heavy with betrayal. She watch them as move their properties out of their shops. She is still in disbelief, looking at the faces of those who promise to stand by her side.
"He has bought them off. How can they not think of the friendship, the unity we acclaim to ourselves and choose to betray us like this?" Emily says with sad face.
Her friend reach out to her, offering a comforting touch. "You have try and it is not your fault, Emily," she assure her, her voice soothing as a balm.
She continues, amidst the turmoil, "people can easily be swayed by money nowadays, especially by people with powerful connections."
Emily refuse to concede defeat, her spirit is undaunted by the storm that lay ahead. She knows she have to keep fighting till the end no matter the challenges. "I refuse to give up," Emil declare, her voice echo defiance in the face of adversity. "We will and must find a way to fight back, no matter what it takes."
Emily's friend quickly interrupted, "I think I have just the best idea to get started with."
"Tell me," Emily lean close to her friend, eager to hear the idea from her friend. "What idea do you have?" She ask.
"From the look of things, Mr Alexander does not want to stir up unnecessary attention," Emily's friend explain. "You can see he is doing everything low key and he isn't the type to easily send his lawyer to negotiate."
Emily's brow furrow in confusion, "Tell me more, what are you trying to say."
Her friend continue, "Like I said, Mr. Alexander is been careful not to draw the public's attention or the media. She says. "So, we have to give him what he is avoiding, a peaceful public protest."
Emily eyes now wide open in astonishment. She can not believe her ears. This idea gave her a resounding hope again, to take the battle to Mr. Alexander. But can she face off with the billionaire tycoon? Is she even thinking of the consequences?
Emily, now curious to know more, "so how do we go about this?" She ask her friend.
"Good..." her friend answer. "We will gather all the remaining locals and March to his company's building and protest. This will draw the public's attention and even the media."
"Wow..." I never thought of this idea before," says Emily.
"This way, Mr. Alex will not have a choice than to listen to us." Emily admitted, smiling at her friend.
Later, Emily gather all the remaining local business owners to inform them of the protests and what plans they have come up with her friend. The locals agree and accepted the idea. Even though they know the plan is just the beginning of the battle, they are ready to take the bull by the horn no matter the challenges they are likely to face.
But as Emily and her gangs are planning for the protests, another uproar is about to break the media outlets, one of the locals in another sub area came to report Grayson Enterprise for failingly to meet their end of promise.
Will this be an opportunity for Emily and her people to take advantage of and hit Grayson Enterprise harder? Will they fail in their pursue of Justice?
Amidst, their plans and campaign to protest against Grayson Enterprise, the news of the individual who came to report Grayson Enterprise spread like wildfire, catching the attention of other newspaper and media outlets, and also, the attention of journalists. As the story gain traction, Emily and her allies pounce on the opportunity to strike against Mr. Alex's company that threatens their livelihood and community.
Mr. Alexander was in the boardroom having a meeting with his board members when the news broke out to him over the phone.
"Are you watching the news right now? One of his business partner inquire over the phone.
Alex picks up the remote and switch in the TV. The news about how his company is busy acquiring small businesses without paying them fill the boardroom. Alex, still on the phone watch the news as the reporter broadcast.
The boardroom is already murmuring. Alex try to calm them down and convince them, he will handle the situation in a jiffy. But just he is about to calm the board members, a sudden uproar cut their attention just outside the building.
Alex quickly stand up from his chair, looking through the window, he saw Emily and her allies standing in front of his building with ply cards boldly written on it OUR COMMUNITY IS NOT FOR SALE.
Alex, been a smart business person, smile and dial his phone. He already sense the threat post by Emily and her followers. He ask his lawyer to unleash a barrage of legal maneuver and PR spin to undermine Emily's efforts.
With thier resources thin, Emily knows their resolve will be tested and they may find themselves on the brink of defeat.