The first page outlined the initial forty-two-thousand-dollar nonrefundable deposit check I had written back in September.

Douglas had treated that deposit as if it bought him ownership of the event.

I read through the newer clauses slowly.

The legal language was absolute and ironclad.

Abernathy Capital held total financial leverage over the physical property.

“By serving this immediate lease default notice on the hotel operating entity, we shut Douglas down completely,” Brenda said.

“Explain the timeline,” I said.

“His administrative access to the venue funds will be revoked within forty-eight hours,” she said.