Two days later, Melissa Emory refused to pay him.
Richard’s wife claimed the $7,800 invoice was excessive and offered only $3,000.
Dad reminded her that Richard had signed the estimate.
Then she argued that only Richard had signed the original agreement.
Dad calmly produced another document.
Before starting every job, he had both property owners sign a work authorization referencing the original estimate.
Richard had signed it.
So had Melissa.
“She knows exactly what she agreed to,” I told him.
“Yes.”
“Then why is she refusing?”
Dad looked at me.
“Because she thinks she can.”
Then his expression changed.
“There’s something else.”
“What?”
“When I went back to discuss the payment, she mentioned your job.”
My stomach tightened.
“What did she say?”
“She reminded me that her husband employs his daughter.”
I immediately understood.
Melissa was trying to make Dad believe that demanding his money could somehow put my career at risk.
“Dad, I can talk to Richard.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“I want to handle it myself.”
Then he added:
“And I have something.”
“What?”
