Chapter 2: C: A Dangerous Bargain

👉 Previous Decision: You chose Option 1C – Offer to split the film archive rights 50/50 with Marcus privately.

Arthur took a deep breath. Confrontation wasn’t his nature, but neither was complete surrender. He tried to find a middle ground, a way to mitigate the damage.

“Marcus,” Arthur began, his voice surprisingly firm. “Let’s be reasonable. Beatrice’s film archive is immense. Why don’t we split the development and distribution rights, 50/50? We can co-manage it.”

Marcus leaned back in his chair, a slow smile spreading across his face. He laced his fingers, his eyes glinting.

“Fifty-fifty, you say?” Marcus mused, his gaze drifting towards a small, almost invisible device on the corner of his briefcase. “That’s a very… entrepreneurial offer, Arthur.”

Arthur felt a flicker of hope. Perhaps Marcus valued a swift resolution over a drawn-out war.

“It avoids all the messy litigation,” Arthur pressed, trying to sound confident. “We both walk away with a significant share, and Beatrice’s legacy is preserved.”

Marcus nodded slowly, his smile widening. “You know, Arthur, I appreciate a man who understands the art of the deal. A pragmatic approach to complicated matters.”

“Then you’ll consider it?” Arthur asked, a knot in his stomach beginning to loosen.

“Consider it?” Marcus chuckled, a dry, humorless sound. He reached over and pressed a button on the side of his briefcase. A faint red light on the small device blinked off. “I’ve just recorded your generous offer, Arthur.”

Arthur’s jaw went slack. The blood drained from his face.

“What are you talking about?” Arthur stammered, his mind racing.

“This is evidence, Arthur,” Marcus explained, his voice hard as steel. “Evidence that you, as the supposed beneficiary of Beatrice’s will, are attempting to illicitly trade her estate assets before probate has even begun.”

Marcus stood up, gathering his folders with a flourish. “A clear breach of fiduciary duty. Not to mention, it makes your ‘undue influence’ case remarkably easy for me to prove.”

Samuel Ellis, who had been sitting in stunned silence, finally spoke. “Mr. Kincaid, that’s highly unethical, potentially illegal recording.”

Marcus merely smirked. “A private conversation between two individuals. Perfectly permissible. You’ll be hearing from my legal team, Samuel. With a temporary restraining order on Arthur Finch, effective immediately.”

Within hours, Arthur received a court summons. Marcus’s lawyers had moved swiftly, presenting the recording as proof of Arthur’s alleged attempts to illegally monetize Beatrice’s estate. A temporary restraining order was issued, stripping Arthur of any rights to access the Bel-Air property or any of Beatrice’s assets. His inheritance was frozen, his credibility shattered, all based on a desperate attempt to compromise.

Arthur sat in his tiny apartment, the court papers spread on his coffee table. He had tried to be clever, to avoid the fight, and instead, he had handed Marcus the weapon himself. The true cost of his attempted bargain settled heavily upon him.