Chương 45: A Cup of Opportunity X

March 1971- Seattle. Enzo allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. He had spent the better part of an hour asking questions. Listening. Observing. Not once had the conversation revolved around numbers. That had been intentional. Financial statements could be read in New York. Balance sheets could be mailed across the country. But character... Character had to be witnessed. He slowly leaned back in his chair.

"Gentlemen..."

"I appreciate your patience." Jonathan smiled.

"I have to admit..."

"This meeting has been rather different from what we expected." Gregory laughed.

"I was certain we'd spend the first hour discussing dollars and cents." Steven nodded.

"So was I." Enzo chuckled.

"I imagine that would've been easier." Anthony smiled knowingly.

"It certainly would've been shorter." Another round of laughter spread around the table. Then... Enzo's expression became more businesslike.

"Now..."

"I believe we've learned a little about one another."

"I think it's finally time to discuss why I wrote that letter." The atmosphere changed almost immediately. Jonathan instinctively straightened in his chair. Gregory folded his hands on the table. Steven quietly slid a notepad closer. Their expressions remained calm... But inside, each of them felt a subtle rise in anticipation. Here it comes. Jonathan thought. The real reason he's here.

Enzo looked briefly toward Anthony. Anthony understood immediately. He opened his leather briefcase and removed a neatly organized folder. He did not open it. Instead, he simply placed it beside his notebook. Ready. Enzo noticed the founders' eyes drift toward the folder before returning to him. He smiled.

"Don't worry."

"There aren't any contracts inside waiting for your signatures." Gregory couldn't help laughing.

"I'm relieved to hear that."

"I wouldn't ask anyone to sign anything during a first meeting." Enzo said matter-of-factly.

"I've never believed that's good business." Jonathan relaxed a little more. He keeps saying exactly what I hope to hear... It was becoming increasingly difficult to reconcile this courteous, patient man with the image Jonathan had created in his mind after receiving Thompson Manufacturing's letter.

Enzo folded his hands together.

"When I transitioned Thompson Manufacturing away from military contracts..."

"... the company found itself in a stronger financial position than I had anticipated." Anthony glanced toward him. He had heard this explanation several times already. Enzo continued naturally.

"Rather than allow a portion of that capital to remain idle..."

"I established a separate investment company." He paused.

"Its purpose is quite simple."

"To make selective minority investments in promising young businesses." Jonathan nodded slowly. That explanation... Made perfect sense. It was far more logical than imagining the chairman of a manufacturing company suddenly deciding to become a venture capitalist overnight. Gregory leaned forward slightly.

"So..."

"... that's why you contacted us?"

"Yes." Enzo answered without hesitation.

"I wasn't searching for another manufacturing company."

"I wasn't searching for another factory."

"I was searching for people." The room grew quiet again.

"I believe businesses are built by people."

"If I cannot trust the people..."

"... I have little interest in the business." Steven unconsciously looked toward Jonathan. Then Gregory. Maybe that's why he spent the entire afternoon asking about us... It finally made sense.

Enzo continued.

"I've now heard your story."

"I've seen your store."

"I've listened to your philosophy." He smiled warmly.

"And I like what I've seen." A faint smile appeared on Gregory's face. Jonathan remained composed... Though inwardly, he felt an enormous weight begin to lift. That's encouraging... Very encouraging. Enzo looked around the table once more.

"So..."

"If you'll allow me..."

"I'd like to explain what I believe Vendetta Investments could offer Evergreen Coffee & Tea Company." Jonathan nodded.

"We're listening." Anthony quietly uncapped his fountain pen once more. James remained silent. A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. His hot chocolate had long since grown lukewarm. He barely noticed. This... This was the moment he had waited months for. Not because he wanted to speak. But because he wanted to see whether his grandfather would build the bridge exactly as he had hoped. Enzo rested both forearms lightly upon the oak table.

His voice remained calm. Measured. Never rushed.

"I want to be perfectly clear from the beginning."

"I'm not here to buy your company." The three founders exchanged quick glances. Jonathan had expected those words. Hearing them spoken aloud, however... Was unexpectedly reassuring. Enzo continued.

"I have no desire to run your business."

"I don't intend to choose your coffee."

"I don't intend to decorate your stores." Gregory's shoulders relaxed almost imperceptibly. Enzo noticed. He smiled.

"Those are your decisions."

"They should remain your decisions." Steven found himself taking a slow breath. He's talking about partnership... Not control. For the first time since receiving the mysterious letter in Seattle... The possibility of working together no longer felt intimidating. It felt... Possible. Enzo looked at each of them in turn.

"My hope..."

"... is much simpler."

"I'd like Vendetta Investments to become a long-term partner."

"A partner who believes in what you're building."

"A partner who succeeds only if you succeed." Silence settled gently across the room once again. No one rushed to answer. The words deserved to be considered. And every man around that table knew... The negotiation had truly begun. 》 Jonathan slowly folded his hands together on the table. He did not answer immediately. Not because he disagreed... But because he wanted to weigh every word carefully. Across from him sat a man who had built and transformed a successful manufacturing company.

If there was ever a time to listen before speaking... It was now. Finally, Jonathan broke the silence.

"Mr. Lombardi..."

"I appreciate your honesty." He smiled faintly.

"And I appreciate hearing that you aren't interested in taking over our business." Enzo inclined his head.

"It's the truth." Jonathan glanced briefly toward Gregory and Steven before continuing.

"Still..."

"I imagine you understand why we'd be cautious."

"Of course." Enzo answered without the slightest hesitation.

"If our positions were reversed..."

"I'd be cautious as well." That answer earned another thoughtful look from Jonathan. He never dismisses a concern... He acknowledges it first. It was an uncommon quality. One Jonathan admired more with every passing minute. Gregory leaned forward.

"If I may ask something..."

"Please." Enzo replied. Gregory rested his forearms on the table.

"What was it about us?"

"There are thousands of small businesses opening every year."

"Why ours?" The question lingered in the room. Even Anthony glanced toward Enzo. He knew the answer in broad terms... But he was curious how Enzo intended to explain it. Enzo smiled quietly.

"I've asked myself that same question more than once." A few soft chuckles circled the table. He continued.

"Several months ago..."

"... I began studying industries outside manufacturing."

"I wasn't looking for another factory."

"I wasn't looking for another clothing company."

"I wanted something different." He looked toward the unfinished sales floor through the office window.

"I noticed something."

"When Americans think about coffee..."

"... most think about convenience."

"A tin from the grocery store."

"A cup before work."

"Nothing more." Jonathan slowly nodded.

"That's true." Enzo continued.

"But your proposal..."

"... never once described coffee as a commodity."

"It described coffee as something to discover."

"As something to appreciate." He smiled.

"I found that intriguing." Steven's fingers tightened slightly around his coffee cup. He actually read it... Not skimmed it. Not delegated it to an assistant. He had truly read every page. Enzo looked toward Steven.

"You spoke earlier about quality."

"I remembered reading almost those same words in your proposal." Steven blinked.

"I..." He smiled almost sheepishly.

"I wrote that section."

"I thought you might have." Enzo replied.

"It showed." For the first time that afternoon... Steven felt his nervousness almost disappear. Recognition from someone like Enzo Lombardi... Meant more than he expected.

Anthony finally entered the conversation.

"There was another thing." The founders turned toward him.

"I've reviewed dozens of investment proposals over the years."

"Many promise rapid expansion."

"Large profits."

"Quick returns." He smiled politely.

"Yours spent surprisingly little time discussing profits." Jonathan laughed softly.

"We probably should have written more about them." Anthony shook his head.

"I disagree." He tapped the proposal lying beside him.

"You spent more time explaining your customers."

"Your suppliers."

"Your philosophy." He looked around the table.

"That tells me you're trying to build a business..."

"... not simply make money." Gregory couldn't help smiling.

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"It was intended as one." Anthony answered.

Jonathan rested comfortably against his chair.

"May I be equally honest?"

"I would expect nothing less." Enzo replied. Jonathan exhaled slowly.

"When your letter arrived..."

"We assumed several possibilities." Gregory laughed.

"Some of them weren't particularly pleasant." Enzo raised an amused eyebrow.

"Oh?" Jonathan smiled apologetically.

"We wondered whether a large corporation wanted to acquire our idea before we even opened." Steven added quietly,"Or perhaps use us as a test project." Gregory shrugged.

"Or simply put your name on the company." Enzo laughed warmly.

"I'm afraid I'll disappoint all three theories." The room filled with laughter once again. Then Enzo's expression softened.

"Gentlemen..."

"I already have my own company."

"I've spent years building it."

"I don't need another one carrying my name." His eyes moved calmly from one founder to the next.

"What interested me..."

"... was helping yours succeed." The sincerity in his voice was unmistakable. Jonathan noticed it. So did Gregory. So did Steven. For the first time since the meeting began... The three founders found themselves thinking the same thing. Perhaps... This partnership really could work. Yet Jonathan knew one difficult question still remained. He looked directly at Enzo.

"There is, however..."

"... one subject we probably shouldn't avoid any longer." Enzo smiled knowingly.

"I was wondering when we'd reach it." Jonathan folded his hands once more.

"The investment."

"How much are you actually considering?" The room became completely silent. Even James instinctively looked toward his grandfather. This... It was the moment where philosophy would give way to numbers. 》 Enzo did not answer immediately. Instead... He reached for his coffee and took one final sip. The cup was nearly empty now. He gently placed it back onto its saucer. The soft clink echoed through the quiet office. Jonathan, Gregory and Steven waited patiently. Anthony remained perfectly still. James simply watched.

This was exactly how his grandfather negotiated. Never rushed. Never pressured. Never allowing the other side to feel cornered. Enzo folded his hands together.

"Before I answer that..."

"I'd like to ask one final question." Jonathan smiled.

"I had a feeling there would be one more." A few quiet laughs circled the table. Enzo looked directly at Jonathan.

"When do you intend to open your doors?" Jonathan answered without needing to think.

"If everything stays on schedule..."

"... around the thirtieth of this month."

"So..."

"Roughly three weeks."

"Yes." Enzo nodded thoughtfully.

"And during those three weeks..."

"What remains to be done?" Jonathan exchanged a glance with Gregory. Gregory answered first.

"The construction is almost finished." He pointed downstairs through the office window.

"The shelves are in."

"The counters are finished."

"We're mostly taking care of the little things now." Steven continued.

"Our remaining coffee shipments will arrive over the next week."

"We're also waiting for a few pieces of equipment." Anthony asked,"Anything else?" Jonathan gave a small laugh.

"Quite a lot, actually."

"We still have invoices waiting to be paid."

"Final rent."

"Utility deposits."

"Insurance."

"Packaging."

"Store signage."

"Advertising." He smiled.

"And then..."

"We actually have to open." Everyone chuckled. Enzo nodded slowly.

"So..."

"The business itself is ready."

"It's the working capital that concerns you." Jonathan looked mildly surprised.

"... Yes."

"That's exactly right."

"We're confident we can open."

"Our concern is what happens afterward." Gregory leaned forward.

"If business starts slowly..."

"... we don't have much room for mistakes." Steven quietly added,"We'd rather spend our first months building relationships with customers..."

"... than worrying every morning about whether we'll have enough cash to pay every bill." Enzo nodded once. He had expected exactly that answer.

For a moment... He simply looked out the office window. Workers below continued arranging shelves. One man carried in another burlap sack of green coffee beans. Another adjusted a display near the entrance. The store was alive. Not yet with customers... But with hope. Enzo turned back toward the three founders.

"I believe I understand your position." Jonathan inclined his head.

"I'm glad." Enzo smiled gently.

"I don't believe you need someone to rescue your business." The three founders looked at him.

"I believe you need someone to remove unnecessary pressure." Gregory slowly nodded. That... Was perhaps the best description he'd heard. Not rescue. Breathing room.

Enzo rested both hands on the table.

"When I negotiate..."

"I don't begin with numbers."

"I begin with value." Jonathan listened carefully.

"You've invested your savings."

"You've invested your time."

"You've invested your reputation." He smiled.

"And perhaps most importantly..."

"... you've invested your friendship." The three founders remained silent. Those words carried unexpected weight. Enzo continued.

"I have no interest in diminishing any of that."

"My goal is to strengthen it." Anthony quietly watched the three young men. He could almost see the skepticism continuing to fade from their faces. Not disappear... No experienced businessman ever abandoned caution completely. But it was changing into trust.

Finally... Enzo leaned forward slightly.

"I'd like Vendetta Investments to make a direct capital investment into Evergreen Coffee & Tea Company." No one interrupted.

"I believe..."

"... an investment of..." He paused only briefly.

"... thirty-five thousand dollars..."

"... would provide the company with the financial flexibility it needs during its opening months." Silence. Complete silence. Jonathan's eyes widened almost imperceptibly. Gregory forgot the pastry he had been reaching for. Steven simply stared. Thirty-five thousand dollars... The figure echoed in each of their minds. Jonathan quickly began calculating. That would cover the remaining invoices... Leave operating cash... Provide a reserve... It would completely change our first year.

Gregory's thoughts raced in another direction. We wouldn't have to postpone advertising... We could order additional inventory without worrying... We'd actually be able to focus on customers. Steven thought of something entirely different. Quality... We wouldn't have to compromise quality just to preserve cash. None of them spoke. Not because they wished to negotiate. Because the number was larger than any of them had expected. Enzo allowed them the time to absorb it. He knew better than to continue immediately.

Eventually... Jonathan looked up. His voice remained calm.

"I won't pretend..."

"... that's considerably more than we expected." Enzo smiled.

"I thought it might be." Jonathan glanced briefly toward Gregory... Then Steven. All three shared the same unspoken realization. The conversation had just entered an entirely different stage. But another question still remained. Perhaps the most important one of all. Jonathan slowly folded his hands once again.

"Mr. Lombardi..."

"If Vendetta Investments contributes thirty-five thousand dollars..."

"... what ownership interest would you consider fair?" 》 The question settled over the room. No one reached for a coffee cup. No one turned a page. Even the sounds of construction downstairs seemed to fade into the background. Enzo met Jonathan's eyes calmly. He had expected that question from the very beginning. And he respected it. In fact... Had Jonathan not asked it... Enzo might have questioned whether the three men were truly ready to own a business. A man unwilling to discuss ownership...

Rarely understood its value. Enzo gave a slow nod.

"A fair question." Jonathan smiled politely.

"I thought it was." Enzo looked toward Anthony. Anthony understood immediately. He opened his leather folder. Not to reveal a contract... But to remove a single sheet of blank paper. He placed it between them. No numbers had been written beforehand. No percentage had already been decided on paper. That small gesture did not go unnoticed. He really intends to negotiate... Jonathan thought. He didn't arrive expecting us simply to accept whatever he proposed. That impressed him.

Enzo rested one hand lightly upon the table.

"I've always believed..."

"... that ownership should reflect both value..."

"... and responsibility." Gregory nodded slowly. That sounded reasonable enough. Enzo continued.

"The three of you conceived this business."

"You spent months planning it."

"You found this location."

"You negotiated the lease."

"You've worked with suppliers."

"You've built these shelves." He smiled.

"I've done none of those things." Jonathan exchanged another brief glance with Steven. He keeps giving us credit... It was oddly refreshing. Most investors would have begun listing what they were bringing. Mr. Lombardi seemed determined to begin by acknowledging what already existed.

Enzo folded his hands once more.

"I have no interest in changing who founded this company." The three founders looked at him.

"In fact..."

"I believe history should always remember the truth." He looked first toward Jonathan.

"Mr. Bradley..." Then Gregory.

"Mr. Bowman..." Finally Steven.

"And Mr. Grant."

"You founded Evergreen Coffee & Tea Company."

"If we reach an agreement today..."

"... that fact should never change." Gregory smiled. A genuine smile. It wasn't about pride. It was about recognition. Years from now... He wanted people to know who had dreamed this little store into existence. Steven quietly released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He understands...

Anthony finally spoke.

"If an agreement is reached..."

"I would recommend including a clause stating exactly that." Jonathan looked toward him.

"A clause?" Anthony nodded.

"A simple one."

"Regardless of future ownership changes..."

"... the three of you will always be recognized as the founders of Evergreen Coffee & Tea Company." Gregory looked at Jonathan. Jonathan looked at Steven. Neither had ever considered putting something like that into writing. Steven smiled faintly.

"I like that."

"So do I." Gregory admitted. Jonathan nodded.

"It seems..."

"... surprisingly important." Enzo smiled.

"I believe it is."

A comfortable silence followed. Then Enzo spoke again.

"As for ownership..." He looked around the table.

"I believe..."

"... forty percent..."

"... would be a fair partnership." Silence. Jonathan remained expressionless. Inside... His mind immediately began calculating. Forty percent... It was significant. Very significant. Yet... They would still retain sixty percent collectively. Still remain the majority owners. Still control the direction of the company. Gregory's thoughts moved elsewhere. He's calling it a partnership... Not an acquisition. Not a purchase. A partnership. Steven quietly lowered his eyes. Sixty percent... He mentally divided it.

Twenty percent each. Exactly as they had originally planned. Nothing about their relationship with one another would change.

Jonathan finally broke the silence.

"May I ask..."

"Why forty?" Enzo smiled.

"I'm glad you asked." He leaned forward slightly.

"Because I don't want either side to feel disadvantaged."

"If I owned ten percent..."

"My ability to help would be limited."

"If I owned fifty-one..."

"I'd effectively control your company." He slowly shook his head.

"I don't want either situation." Anthony nodded quietly. It was exactly what they had discussed before leaving New York. Enzo continued.

"Forty percent gives Vendetta Investments every reason to support your success..."

"... while leaving control..." He looked directly at Jonathan.

"... where I believe it belongs."

"With the founders." The room fell quiet again. Jonathan leaned back slowly in his chair. He looked toward Gregory. Neither man spoke. Steven caught Jonathan's eye. For several seconds... The three communicated without words. Years of friendship had made that possible. Jonathan finally smiled.

"We'd appreciate..." He paused.

"If you would give us just a few minutes." Enzo nodded immediately.

"Of course." Anthony closed his folder.

"There is absolutely no rush." Enzo stood, buttoning his jacket.

"We'll step downstairs and give the three of you some privacy." Jonathan rose as well.

"Thank you." As Enzo reached the office door, he turned back with one final smile.

"Gentlemen..."

"Whatever your decision..."

"... I hope today's meeting marks the beginning of a lasting friendship." Jonathan smiled sincerely.

"I believe it already has." With that... Enzo, Anthony, and James quietly stepped out of the office, leaving the three founders alone for the first time that afternoon. The door closed softly behind them. Almost immediately... Gregory let out a long breath.

"... Well." Steven removed his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"I don't think this meeting has gone anything like any of us imagined." Jonathan looked toward the closed door for a moment before returning his gaze to his two friends.

"No..." A slow smile spread across his face.

"It hasn't."