Chapter Five: The Creditor in Uniform

” One day dark could trigger the going-concern clause and scatter the staff. The $6.12 million value might vanish overnight. Lin faced his coworkers. “Who says we're closing?” “Accounts are frozen. Suppliers stopped deliveries,” Cheng said. “What will you open with?” The rear doors swung wide. Zhou Lan entered with two bakers, followed by the produce, meat, and laundry suppliers. “With money we have already put at risk,” she said. “Seven-day trade credit, provided Lin approves every expense.” At six, Lanterns opened. Cheng had taken the cellar keys, so Lin removed the expensive wine list and introduced a limited sixty-one-dollar menu. There was no reserve wine or imported caviar. Twenty-seven people delivered steadier service than before.