“We’re Demolishing Your Beach House,” My Dad Said—Then the Development Board Shut It Down

“Sir, I’m sorry. We can’t proceed. The documentation Miss Foster is showing clearly establishes ownership. If we demolished without authorization, we’d be liable for—”

“I understand,” my father said, distant. He watched his bulldozer like a man watching a dream deflate.

Derek started pacing, already on his phone, voice tight. “My attorney says we can continue reading …