Elena's phone rang at eight ten. Screen showed Crestline Freight operations desk. She answered.
"Crestline dispatch," the manager said. "We got a competing offer this morning. Triple our standard rate. Exclusive routing for twelve months. Full volume shift. They want a signature by five."
"Who's offering," Elena asked.
"Victoria Hayes. Brooks Fashion. Cash upfront. No net terms. They want us to drop your contracts and run their lane."
"Check the master routing file," Elena said. "Look at clause fourteen. Look at the penalty schedule."
"I'm looking at it right now. Early breach triggers a fifteen percent liquidation fee per month. Plus equipment lease penalties. Plus port slot forfeiture. We'd lose two hundred thousand on exit. The triple rate covers it for six months. After that, we bleed."
