Chapter 14 - THE LAND DEAL
Independent appraisal valued the acreage at:
$2.25 to $2.5 million.
Stonebridge’s $1.9 million price was low but not absurd because:
road access costs,
sewer extension,
wetland buffer reduced value.
Still, the deal was not ideal.
Stonebridge agreed to cancel the option in exchange for:
return of remaining option consideration,
documented expenses,
mutual release.
Why?
Litigation risk.
Nathan repaid:
$22,000 of the $30,000 after accounting showed only $8,000 reasonably supported as consulting expenses.
No prison.
No cartoon collapse.
His real consequence:
Removal as financial agent.
Professional complaint to real-estate licensing board.
Family trust shattered.
Curtis chose a new plan.
He sold only one acre later.
At fair market value.
Enough to pay:
medical costs,
home repairs,
and reduce taxes.
He kept the woods.
His decision.
With independent counsel.
Rachel disagreed slightly.
May you like
Then let him decide.
That was important.
