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Chapter 18: The Arrogant "Olive Branch"
On the third day after the hearing victory, Leo received an unexpected phone call.
It was from Alan Wexler’s assistant.
Wexler wanted to invite Leo to a private meeting.
"A negotiation," Roosevelt said in Leo's mind. "They’ve been hurt. Public pressure has forced them to sit down and try to resolve us with minimal cost."
The meeting was set to take place in a private conference room at a luxury hotel downtown.
Leo decided to meet this snake in a suit.
Sarah insisted on accompanying him as his assistant.
Frank, along with two burly old comrades of his, followed behind in a battered pickup truck while Leo and Sarah rode in a taxi.
Frank insisted on waiting outside the hotel.
"If that suit-wearing punk tries anything funny," Frank said, rolling down the window to address Leo, "I’ll strip all the tires off his Cadillac parked out front."
Leo walked into the opulent lobby of the hotel.
Wexler’s assistant, a young woman dressed in a professional suit, was already waiting there.
She led Leo and Sarah through the corridors to a private meeting room.
Wexler was already seated at one end of the conference table.
He wasn’t wearing a suit but an expensive cashmere sweater, exuding elegance as if he were hosting guests in his own living room.
He stood up, smiling, and shook hands with Leo.
"Mr. Wallace, I’m glad you could come," he said. "Please, have a seat. Would you like something to drink? Their coffee is excellent."
Leo and Sarah sat down across from him.
"No, thank you, Mr. Wexler," Leo replied. "Let’s get straight to it."
Wexler nodded, his smile unwavering.
Getting straight to the point, he laid out his proposal.
"Mr. Wallace, first, I must admit that you and your team have done remarkable work over the past week. You’ve successfully turned what was a simple commercial dispute into a citywide public issue, and personally, I admire that."
He paused, seemingly observing Leo’s expression.
"My client, Summit Development Group, is a responsible company. We never intended to be at odds with the community. After the hearing, we carefully considered public opinion and are willing to make concessions."
He pulled a document from his folder and slid it across the table toward Leo.
It was a beautifully designed architectural rendering.
"Our company is willing to fully fund the construction of an entirely new, state-of-the-art facility for the Steelworkers Community Center—on the other side of the city. It will be twice the size of the current center, with all-new equipment. Additionally, we will cover all relocation costs and provide operational funding for the next three years."
Leaning forward, he looked directly at Leo.
"We believe this is a win-win solution. The community gets a better, newer home, and my client can proceed with their business plans. What do you think?"
Roosevelt’s voice echoed in Leo’s mind.
"A classic capitalist trick. Buying legitimacy with money, using a seemingly generous offer to undermine your resolve."
"Isn’t it great that they’re offering a new community center?" Leo thought.
Roosevelt responded, "Child, this is a carefully designed trap."
"Think about it. Can the elderly who rely on this center afford to travel across half the city every day to a new location? This proposal severs the connection between the community center and the people it serves geographically."
"And will they really follow through on building it? They can drag their feet for three to five years, and by then, who will care?"
"So don’t let his intentions lead you astray."
Leo raised his head and stared directly into Wexler’s eyes.
"Mr. Wexler, we’re not here today to discuss relocation—we’re here to discuss preservation."
His voice was firm.
"The value of the Steelworkers Community Center lies in its history, its location, and how deeply it’s rooted in the soil of this working-class neighborhood. It’s not just a pile of bricks and cement that can be moved around at will."
"The proposal you’ve made sounds generous, but it solves nothing. You’re simply trying to buy our silence with money so you can tear down our history and build your luxury apartments on top of it."
Without giving Wexler a chance to respond, Leo laid out his three demands.
"First, Summit Development Group must immediately withdraw its acquisition plan for the community center property."
"Second, as compensation for the harm caused to the community, Summit Development Group must pay off all the back taxes owed by the community center and commit to funding its operations for the next ten years."
"Third, Mayor Cartwright and the CEO of Summit Development Group must jointly hold a press conference to apologize to all Pittsburgh residents and solemnly pledge to preserve the Steelworkers Community Center permanently as part of Pittsburgh’s historical and cultural heritage."
After hearing Leo’s three demands, Wexler sneered.
"Mr. Wallace, you’re passionate—I’ll give you that—but you’re also incredibly unrealistic."
"Let’s clarify a few basic facts."
"First, my client participated in a legal bidding process, and all procedures were lawful. Second, Mayor Cartwright did nothing wrong; meeting with entrepreneurs is part of his job. Third, the community center owes property taxes—a fact that cannot be changed."
"I’m sitting here talking to you not because we’re afraid of you but out of respect for public opinion. The proposal I’ve offered is the only way forward—and our final act of goodwill."
He dropped his smile, his gaze turning icy.
"If you refuse, then we’ll see each other in court. When that happens, I trust the judge will deliver a fair verdict. And you? You won’t even get a brand-new community center."
A stalemate had formed.
For the next hour, both sides exchanged heated arguments.
The first negotiation ended inconclusively, with the excuse that both parties would "go back and consider further."
As Leo and Sarah prepared to leave, Wexler even "cordially" approached them, patting Leo on the shoulder.
"Young man, don’t be too idealistic," he said. "The world runs on compromise. Learning to accept an imperfect victory will benefit your future."
Leo ignored him, walking out of the meeting room without looking back, Sarah following close behind.
As they stepped out of the hotel, Frank immediately came up to them.
"How did it go? Did that punk give you any trouble?"
Leo shook his head.
"He offered us a new home."
"That’s good, isn’t it?" Frank asked, puzzled.
"He wants us to leave our land," Leo replied.
Frank’s face darkened instantly.
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