The kind of place where real work gets done, not billable hours get padded.
"Mr. Forester," she says, spreading out a stack of documents that looks like it could choke a horse, "you're not going to believe what my research team found."
She slides over a thick folder labeled Forester Mineral Rights Historical Analysis.
The first document is a photocopy of my great-grandfather's original 1923 homestead patent, stamped with federal seals and signed by officials whose names belong in history books.
"Your great-grandfather didn't just homestead 320 acres," Roxanne says with a grin that suggests she's about to blow my mind. "According to federal records, he filed claims on mineral rights covering 1,280 acres, the entire valley floor plus the surrounding ridge lines."
I'm still processing this when she flips to the next document.
"Here's where it gets interesting. When your family sold off parcels in the 1970s and '80s, the deeds transferred surface rights only. The mineral rights stayed with the original homestead patent, which means..."
She pauses dramatically.
"You don't just own your cabin, Mr. Forester. You own the mineral rights under every single mansion in Pine Ridge Estates."
The room goes quiet except for the hum of fluorescent lights and the distant sound of traffic.
I'm trying to wrap my head around the implications when Roxanne drops the next bombshell.
"But wait. There's more."
Under federal mining law, mineral rights include reasonable surface access for extraction activities, which means I have legal authority to access my mineral holdings even if someone else owns the surface.
She slides over another document, a geological survey from the 1980s that shows the valley sits on top of significant deposits of rare-earth elements, the kind used in electronics and renewable-energy technology.
"Mr. Forester, based on current market prices, your mineral holdings could be worth anywhere from $50 million to $200 million."
I lean back in my chair, feeling like someone just hit me with a sledgehammer made of good news.
"So, let me get this straight," I say slowly. "Viv's been threatening to steal property that I not only own legally, but that sits on top of mineral rights worth more than her entire development."
"That's exactly right. And here's the best part. Every building permit issued for those mansions should have required notification of mineral-rights holders. That's federal law."
Roxanne pulls out another folder, this one labeled Pine Ridge Development Permit Violations.
"None of the permits filed for Pine Ridge Estates included mineral-rights notifications.
"None of them.
"Which means every single construction permit was issued illegally."
The implications hit me like an avalanche.
"So their entire development is built on illegally issued permits."
"Gets better. I pulled the financial records for Pine Ridge Estates LLC. It's public information. Guess how much money has flowed through that organization in the past two years."
I shake my head.
"$2.8 million in HOA fees and special assessments.
"But here's the interesting part. Only $800,000 shows up in legitimate HOA expenses.
"The remaining $2 million disappeared into shell companies owned by..."
She pauses for effect.
"Board members. Family businesses."
My jaw drops.
"She's been embezzling $2 million."
"That's just what we can trace. The real number is probably higher."
Roxanne leans forward, her expression turning serious.