Court Opinion

ID: 2961348
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-21 20:03:43.610154+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:26:45.324170
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
                                     DIVISION ONE

RSD AAP, LLC,
                                               No. 71926-2-1
                        Appellant,
                                               ORDER WITHDRAWING OPINION
               v.                              AND SUBSTITUTING OPINION

ALYESKA OCEAN, INC; JEFF
HENDRICKS and JANE DOE
HENDRICKS, individually and as a
marital community,

                        Respondents.

       The court has determined that the opinion filed on September 14, 2015,

should be withdrawn and a substitute published opinion be filed. Now, therefore,

it is hereby

       ORDERED that the opinion filed on September 14, 2015, be withdrawn

and a substitute published opinion be filed.

       DATED thisgi^day of ^fikfklf. 2015.                                   g
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    IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

RSD AAP, LLC,
                                                   No. 71926-2-1
                     Appellant,
                                                   DIVISION ONE

                                                   PUBLISHED OPINION

ALYESKA OCEAN, INC; JEFF
HENDRICKS and JANE DOE
HENDRICKS, individually and as a
marital community,

                     Respondents.                  FILED: September 21,2015

       Trickey, J. — RSD AAP, LLC (RSD) is a partner in the Auriga/Aurora General

Partnership (AAGP). RSD appeals the trial court's summary dismissal of its lawsuit

against another partner, Alyeska Ocean, Inc. (AOI). RSD asserts that the trial court erred

by holding that (1) the right of first refusal provision set forth in the partnership agreement

was not triggered, (2) the partnership agreement's requirement that written consent from

two thirds of the partnership be obtained before encumbering a partnership interest was

not breached, and (3) the fiduciary duty of loyalty or good faith and fair dealing was not

violated. Finding no error, we affirm.

                                           FACTS

       Jeff Hendricks is the sole shareholder of AOI. In 1987, AOI purchased two vessels

to convert them for commercial fishing. To raise capital to convert the vessels and

prepare them for operation, AOI formed AAGP in 1988. All of the partners who were

invited to join AAGP were friends or family of Hendricks.
No. 71926-2-1/2

       A general partnership agreement (Agreement) was entered into on February 13,

1988. Article VII of the Agreement involved the transferring of partnership interests. It

provided, in relevant part:

              7.1 Transfer Prohibited.

              7.1.1 No Partner may, without the prior written consent of the
       Partners holding at least a two-thirds interest in the Partnership (excluding
       the transferring Partner's interest), directly or indirectly sell, lease, transfer,
       assign, give, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise encumber or permit or suffer
       any encumbrance of all or any part of his interest in the Partnership, with or
       without consideration, except as provided in this Article VII and Section 8.2.

              7.3 Right of First Refusal. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section
       7.1.1, a Partner may sell his interest in the Partnership upon compliance
       with the conditions of Section 7.1.2 and the following conditions:
              . . . .[1]

       As set forth in Section 7.3, if a partner decided to accept an offer to purchase his

or her partnership interest, the partner was required to provide written notification to the
other partners of his or her intention to sell the interest. That notification was to include
the terms and conditions of the proposed offer. After receiving the selling partner's

notification, the other partners would have 30 days to elect to purchase for themselves

the selling partner's interest upon the same terms and conditions in the selling partner's
notification. If the other partners elected not to purchase the interest or if they did not

respond within 30 days, the selling partner was permitted to effect the sale of his or her
interest upon the same terms and conditions contained in the notification to the other.

       In addition, the Agreement contained an integration clause:

               12.3 Governing Law, Miscellaneous. This Agreement is intended to
       benefit only the parties hereto, constitutes the entire agreement of the
       parties relative to the formation, operation, termination and dissolution of

1 Clerk's Papers (CP) at 70-71.
No. 71926-2-1/3

       the Partnership       There are no promises, terms, conditions or obligations
       other than those contained herein, and this Agreement supersedes all
       previous communications, representations or agreements, either verbal or
       written, between the parties concerning the subject matter hereof. No
       variations, modifications, or changes herein or hereof shall be binding upon
       either party hereto . . . .[2]

       AOI became the general manager of AAGP under the Agreement and

Management Agreement, and has continued to hold that position since the formation of

the partnership.

       Robert Resoff became an original partner of AAGP through his corporation Robert

E. Resoff, Inc. RSD is a wholly-owned subsidiary of, and managed by, Robert E. Resoff,

Inc. In 2010, Robert E. Resoff, Inc. transferred its entire 20.618 percent share of its

partnership interest to RSD. George Steers is the president of Robert Resoff, Inc.

       On April 24, 2012, Hendricks contacted Mark O'Brien, a partner of O'Brien

Enterprises, Inc., to ask if he was interested in selling his partnership interest to him.

During that conversation, O'Brien informed Hendricks for the first time that he had
terminal cancer and only had a few weeks to live. O'Brien was receptive to the notion of

selling his interest and suggested that Hendricks give him his "idea" of a purchase price.3
       On April 30 through May 10, 2012, Hendricks communicated with Clayton Lynch,

O'Brien's certified public accountant, about the valuation of O'Brien's interest and

determined that a purchase by way of an option would be the best method of

accomplishing the transaction. Hendricks forwarded to Lynch an updated valuation of
O'Brien's 20.618 percent interest—$3,482,478—that was prepared by Hendicks'

accountant.    On May 10, Hendricks wrote to Lynch offering to pay $4 million plus

2 CP at 77.
3 CP at 55.
No. 71926-2-1/4

$500,000 for O'Brien's share of the partnership funds held for distribution and in reserve

for a pending shipyard expense. Hendricks notified Lynch that his counsel, Doug Fryer,

would draft an Option Agreement.

        On May 15, 2012, Hendricks sent a letter to the partners alerting them of O'Brien's

health condition.4 He told them that he and O'Brien "agreed that after his death [AOI]

would purchase [O'Brien's] corporate interest in the partnership."5 In the letter, Hendricks

attached a "CONSENT AND WAIVER as required by our partnership agreement" to be

returned to Hendricks.6 Hendricks also instructed the partners to "[f]eel free to call if you

have questions about the agreement or [O'Brien's] condition."7
            By May 21, 2012, counsel for O'Brien and Hendricks agreed on a form of Option

Agreement to be executed. The Option Agreement stated that it "is entered into as of
May 24, 2012."8 Although the Option Agreement had been executed effective May 24,
2012, according to Hendricks, O'Brien and his wife did not sign it until May 31.9 The
option was not exercisable until O'Brien's death. By May 31, 2012, Hendricks received
the consent of two-thirds of the partnership, excluding O'Brien's consent.

            On June 4, 2012, Matt Lieske contacted Hendricks about the details of the

transaction.          Lieske inquired about the value agreed upon for O'Brien's interest.

Hendricks replied, providing a detailed explanation of what he believed his valuation of
the company was for a sale of a less-than-controlling interest versus the sale of a

4 CP   at   117.
5 CP   at   117.
6 CP   at   117-19.
7 CP   at   117.
8 CP   at   121.
9The Option Agreement does not indicate the dates on which each party signed it.
No. 71926-2-1/5

controlling interest. On June 6, 2012, Hendricks wired O'Brien $200,000 as consideration

to finalize the Option Agreement.

      By June 8, 2012, Hendricks had not heard from RSD. Hendricks contacted Twig

Mills, one of the Robert E. Resoff, Inc. trustees, to inquire about RSD's consent. Mills

responded that George Steers was meeting with the other managers on the week of June

14 to discuss the O'Brien transaction.

      On June 20, 2012, Steers wrote to Fryer, asking for the details of the O'Brien

purchase. Steers also notified Fryer that RSD may want to exercise its right of first

refusal. Fryer responded the next day. He informed Steers that all of the partners had

given written approval of the acquisition by AOI of the option to purchase O'Brien's

partnership interest. Fryer stated his opinion that under the Agreement, because two-

thirds of the partnership had consented, the right of first refusal did not apply. Steers

responded by letter dated June 25, 2012, asserting that as a partner, Hendricks was

required by the Revised Uniform Partnership Act (RUPA), chapter 25.05 RCW, to meet

his fiduciary duties and disclose the terms of the transaction.

       O'Brien died on July 9, 2012. Under the Option Agreement, this event triggered

the 30-day period for Hendricks to exercise the option to purchase O'Brien's interest in

the partnership. On July 10, Fryer received Steers' June 25 letter. Fryer responded that

same day with details of the transaction by sending a copy of the Option Agreement and

advising Steers that O'Brien had died and Hendricks planned to close the transaction

within 30 days.
No. 71926-2-1/6

      On July 30, 2012, Fryer received the executed closing documents, including a bill

of sale for the O'Brien partnership interest. Hendricks wired the balance of the purchased

price shortly after August 2, 2012.

       Prior to the acquisition of O'Brien's interest, AOI, O'Brien Enterprises, Inc., and

RSD each owned a 20.618 percent partnership interest in AAGP.

       On August 8, 2012, Steers advised Fryer that Robert E. Resoff, Inc. had elected

to purchase the O'Brien interest on the same terms set forth in Hendricks' Option

Agreement.

       On February 13, 2013, RSD filed a complaint for declaratory and equitable relief

against AOI. RSD alleged breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, and interference
with business expectancy. In its prayer for relief, RSD requested (1) declaratory relief
that its alleged right offirst refusal under Section 7.3 ofthe Agreement be recognized; (2)
that the court impose a constructive trust to protect RSD's alleged interest in the O'Brien
transaction based upon its purported right offirst refusal; and (3) specific performance of
the Agreement thatwould require AOI to make the O'Brien transaction subject tothe right
of first refusal as determined by Section 7.3 of the Agreement.

       AOI moved for summary judgment against RSD. AOI maintained that under the

plain language of the Agreement, only where a partner cannot obtain consent from two-
thirds of the partnership to a transfer of interest does the right offirst refusal apply. AOI
argued that because the transfer of O'Brien's partnership interest was approved by two-
thirds of the partnership, the right of first refusal was never triggered. The trial court

granted AOI's motion for summary judgment.

       RSD appeals.
No. 71926-2-1/7

                                        ANALYSIS

       We review summary judgment orders de novo. Durland v. San Juan County, 182
Wash. 2d 55, 69, 340 P.3d 191 (2014). Summary judgment is appropriate only if there is no

genuine issue of material fact in the pleadings, affidavits, and depositions on file, and the

moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. CR 56(c). Material facts are

those upon which the outcome of the litigation depends. Greater Harbor 2000 v. City of

Seattle, 132 Wash. 2d 267, 279, 937 P.2d 1082 (1997).

       RSD first contends that the trial court's interpretation of the Agreement was

erroneous because, it argues, under the Agreement, even where a partner obtains

consent of two-thirds of the non-selling partners under Section 7.1.1, it still must comply

with the right of first refusal provision set forth in Section 7.3. We disagree with RSD's

interpretation of the Agreement.

       "The interpretation of a contract can be a mixed question of law and fact. But

where the contract presents no ambiguity and no extrinsic evidence is required to make

sense of the contract terms, contract interpretation is a question of law." Rekhter v. Dep't

of Soc. & Health Servs., 180 Wash. 2d 102, 134, 323 P.3d 1036 (2014) (internal citations

omitted).

       The touchstone of contract interpretation is the parties' intent. See Newport Yacht

Basin Ass'n of Condo. Owners v. Supreme Nw.. Inc., 168 Wash. App. 86, 100, 285 P.3d 70

(2012); 25 David K. DeWolf &Keller W. Allen, Washington Practice: Contract Law
and Practice § 5:7, at 152 (2d ed. 2007). We construe contracts "to reflect the intent of

the parties." Corbrav v. Stevenson, 98 Wash. 2d 410, 415, 656 P.2d 473 (1982). We follow
the "'objective manifestation theory'" of contract interpretation, focusing on the
No. 71926-2-1/8

"'reasonable meaning of the contract language to determine the parties' intent.'" Viking

Bank v. Firgrove Commons 3, LLC, 183 Wash. App. 706, 712, 334 P.3d 116 (2014) (quoting

Hearst Commc'ns. Inc. v. Seattle Times Co.. 154 Wash. 2d 493, 503, 115 P.3d 262 (2005)).

"We impute an intention corresponding to the reasonable meaning of the words used."

Hearst, 154 Wash. 2d at 503.

       We also follow the context rule that "extrinsic evidence relating to the context in

which a contract is made may be examined to determine the meaning of specific words

and terms" used in the contract.      William G. Hulbert. Jr. & Clare Mumford Hulbert

Revocable Living Trust v. Port of Everett, 159 Wash. App. 389, 399-400, 245 P.3d 779

(2011) (emphasis added). Extrinsic evidence includes both the contract's subject matter
and objective, the circumstances surrounding contract formation, both the parties'
conduct and subsequent acts, and the reasonableness of the parties' respective
interpretations. Hulbert, 159 Wash. App. at 400. However, extrinsic evidence may not be
used to "'show an intention independent ofthe [contract]' orto 'vary, contradict[,] or modify
the written word.'" Hearst, 154 Wash. 2d at 503 (quoting Hollis v. Garwall. Inc., 137 Wash. 2d
683, 693, 974 P.2d 836 (1999)). Moreover, extrinsic evidence of a party's subjective,
unilateral, or undisclosed intent regarding the meaning of a contract's terms is
inadmissible. Hulbert, 159Wn. App. at 400. "Nor is itadmissible under the parol evidence

rule to add to the terms of a fully integrated written contract." Hulbert, 159 Wash. App. at

400.

       We "should ultimately give effect to . . . the intent of the parties at the time of
execution." 25 DeWolf &Allen, § 5:7, at 154 (2007). If contractual language is "clear

                                              8
No. 71926-2-1/9

and unambiguous," we must enforce the written contract. Lehrerv. Dep't of Soc. &Health

Servs., 101 Wash. App. 509, 515, 5 P.3d 722 (2000).

         The primarily disputed sections of the Agreement are repeated as follows:

                7.1.1 No Partner may, without the prior written consent of the
         Partners holding at least a two-thirds interest in the Partnership (excluding
         the transferring Partner's interest), directly or indirectly sell, lease, transfer,
         assign, give, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise encumber or permit or suffer
         any encumbrance of all or any part of his interest in the Partnership, with or
         without consideration, except as provided in this Article VII and Section 8.2.

                7.3 Right of First Refusal. Notwithstandingthe provisions of Section
         7.1.1, a Partner may sell his interest in the Partnership upon compliance
         with the conditions of Section 7.1.2 and the following conditions:
                ....[10]

RSD interprets these provisions, in addition to others quoted above, to mean that the right

of first refusal in Section 7.3 trumps the two-thirds consent requirement in Section 7.1.1.

         The plain language of Sections 7.1.1 and 7.3, when read together, delineates two

separate mechanisms of transferring partnership interest. The first is Section 7.1.1's
general requirement that in order totransfer a partnership interest, the partner must obtain
written consent of the partners holding at least a two-thirds interest in the partnership.

The second mechanism is outlined in Section 7.3, the right of first refusal provision. The

term "notwithstanding" indicates that this is a separate method of transferring interest.

"Notwithstanding" is defined as "without prevention or obstruction from or by";

"nevertheless, however, yet."           Webster's Third New International Dictionary 1545

(2002).

10
     CP at 70-71 (emphasis added).
No. 71926-2-1/10

      The term "may" in Section 7.3 also supports this interpretation. It establishes that

the right of first refusal procedure is optional, not required.        The language of the

Agreement does not state that it is mandatory that a transferring partner follow the

procedure of first refusal. The Agreement could have done so by mirroring the language

of Section 7.1.1.    Nor does the Agreement state that Section 7.3 is an additional

requirement to Section 7.1.1.

       RSD relies on extrinsic evidence to buttress its argument that the Agreement

requires a selling partner to comply with the right offirst refusal regardless ofwhether the
partner obtained consent from the partnership. For example, RSD focuses attention on
a 1987 Offering Memorandum, offered by AOI, which contained a provision regarding the
right of first refusal. But resorting to extrinsic evidence such as this is unwarranted.
[S]urrounding circumstances and other extrinsic evidence are to be used 'to determine
the meaning ofspecific words and terms used and not to 'show an intention independent
of the instrument' or to 'vary, contradict or modify the written word.'" Hearst, 154Wn.2d
at 503 (quoting Hollis. 137 Wash. 2d at 695-96). RSD seeks to modify—not define—the
clear terms of the contract to support its interpretation.

       The Agreement's language is clear and unambiguous. The consent provision in
Section 7.3 is a separate process of transferring a partnership interest from the right of
first refusal in Section 7.1.1. The trial court did not err in so concluding.

       RSD next contends that material questions of fact remain as to whether AOI

complied with Section 7.1.1 of the Agreement. According to RSD, because the Option
Agreement is dated May 24, it was on that date that the agreement to grant Hendricks an
option became binding and, thus, encumbered O'Brien's partnership interest. RSD

                                              10
No. 71926-2-1/11

argues, as it did to the trial court, that because May 24 predates May 31, the date that

the partners consented to the transfer, AOI failed to comply with Section 7.1.1's

requirement that the transferring partner obtain pr/orwritten consent. RSD did not present

evidence refuting the fact that O'Brien signed the Option Agreement on May 31. Its

argument was that the Option Agreement was binding on May 24 by virtue of the effective

date listed on the agreement.

      The trial court based its summary judgment decision on its finding that the Option

Agreement became binding when O'Brien signed it on May 31, after two-thirds of the

partnership consented to the transaction.

       Nevertheless, AOI argues on appeal that the Option Agreement, which is different

from a purchase and sale agreement, was not binding on O'Brien until he received the

$200,000 consideration on June 6. We agree with this assertion.

             An option to purchase property is a contract wherein the owner, in
       return for a valuable consideration, agrees with another person that the
       latter shall have the privilege of buying the property within a specified time
       upon the terms and conditions expressed in the option. If no consideration
       passes, the transaction resolves itself into a mere offer which may be
       withdrawn by the optionor at any time before acceptance by the optionee.
       Butwhen supported by a consideration, as in the case at bar, the execution
       of the agreement results in a contract binding upon the optionorwhich may
       not be withdrawn by him during the time set forth therein.

Whitworth v. Enitai Lumber Co., 36 Wash. 2d 767, 770, 220 P.2d 328 (1950). Accordingly,

an option contract is not binding until consideration passes. Here, consideration did not

change hands until June 6, when Hendricks wired O'Brien $200,000. The trial court did

not err. See Wendle v. Farrow. 102 Wash. 2d 380, 382, 686 P.2d 480 (1984) (reviewing

court may affirm the trial court's judgment on any theory established by pleadings and

supported by proof).

                                            11
No. 71926-2-1/12

       RSD further contends that there was no evidence that Hendricks obtained written

consent from the partners.       RSD asserts that the trial court misread Hendricks'

declaration. In Hendricks' declaration, he stated, "By [May 31] I had the consent of 2/3 of

the partners excluding the transferring partner."11 However, in its summary judgment

motion, AOI also attached a copy of the consent forms mailed to the partners. Additional

evidence offered by AOI on summary judgment demonstrated that the consent was in

written form. Furthermore, RSD presented no evidence that contradicted AOI's evidence

that the consent was in writing. A trier of fact could reasonably infer, based on this

evidence, that AOI properly obtained consent in writing from the partners. The trial court

correctly concluded that no material question of fact remained as to whether the consent

received was in writing and obtained prior to encumbering O'Brien's partnership interest,

as required by Section 7.1.1. of the Agreement.

       RSD contends, finally, that the trial court erred by summarily dismissing his claim

that Hendricks breached his duties of loyalty and good faith and fair dealing to the partners

and partnership. We disagree.

       Partners are accountable to each other and the partnership as fiduciaries. Bishop

of Victoria Corp. Sole v. Corporate Bus. Park, LLC. 138 Wash. App. 443, 457, 158 P.3d
1183 (2007). One of the duties owed as a fiduciary is the duty of loyalty, which includes
refraining from self-dealing, secret profits, and conflicts of interest. Bishop, 138Wn. App.
at 457 (citing RCW 25.05.165(2)(a)-(c)). A partner also has an obligation of good faith
and fair dealing to discharge duties to the partnership and other partners under the terms

of the partnership agreement. RCW 25.05.165(4).

11 CPat56.

                                             12
No. 71926-2-1/13

      RUPA governs partnership affairs to the extent not defined in the partnership

agreement. Home v. Aune, 130 Wash. App. 183, 200-01, 121 P.3d 1227 (2005); RCW

25.05.165. RUPA is considered a "gap filler" in this manner. Home, 130 Wash. App. at

200-01. "With few exceptions . . . partners may 'write their own ticket.'" Home, 130 Wn.

App. at 200-01 (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting Seattle-First Nat'l Bk. v.
Marshall, 31 Wash. App. 339, 347, 641 P.2d 1194 (1982)). Included within those exceptions

is the duty of loyalty under RCW 25.05.165(2).             RCW 25.05.015(2)(c) prohibits a

partnership agreement from eliminating the duty of loyalty under RCW 25.05.165(2).
Partnership agreements also cannot "[unreasonably reduce the duty ofcare under RCW
25.05.165(3)," or "[e]liminate the obligation of good faith and fair dealing under RCW
25.05165(4)." RCW25.05.015(2)(d), (e).

       RSD contends that Hendricks breached the duty of loyalty because, he argues,

the opportunity to purchase the O'Brien interest was a "partnership opportunity." RSD
points to Section 8.2 of the Agreement, which gave the partnership an opportunity to
purchase a partner's interest upon his or her death. Section 8.2 of the Agreement

provided:

       Upon the death ... of any partner, the Partnership shall continue the
       Partnership business under its then present name. . . . The Partnership
       may elect to (but need not) liquidate the interest of the . . . deceased . . .
       Partner and cause the Partnership to purchase the interest of the . . .
       deceased ... Partner at a purchase price equal to 100% of the Value of the
       . . . deceased . .. Partner's interest. . . .[12]

       Notably, not one partner expressed an interest in purchasing O'Brien's partnership
interest for the benefit of the partnership. Hendricks informed the partners of the

12 CP at 74.

                                                13
No. 71926-2-1/14

transaction in his May 15, 2012 letter to them, and gave them the opportunity to inquire

further about the details of the transaction. Had any of the partners been interested in

purchasing the interest for the partnership as a "partnership opportunity," they could have

taken action to do so. RSD communicated its interest in purchasing the O'Brien interest

weeks after having been informed of the transaction. And RSD sought to purchase the

interest on its own behalf as an individual partner, and not on behalf of the partnership

interest.

        RSD also argues that Hendricks failed to disclose the material terms of the

transaction before seeking timely, informed consent from the partners. The good faith

obligation of a partner includes a duty of candor, which demands that the partner abstain

from any and all concealment concerning matters pertaining to the partnership business

and to refrain from making false statements to a copartner. Bow v. Graham, Cohen &

Wampold. 17 Wash. App. 567, 570-71, 564 P.2d 1175 (1977) (citing Karle v. Seder, 35
Wash. 2d 542, 214 P.2d 684 (1950)).        Hendricks satisfied the good faith obligation by

promptly informing the partners of O'Brien's impending death and the deal upon which
they agreed. Indeed, Hendricks eventually disclosed the details of the transaction to

RSD.

        RSD cites Bow for the proposition that as managing partner Hendricks is held to

the highest standard of fiduciary obligation. In Bow, Division Two stated in a footnote,
"We also note that as managing partner, Bovy occupied a higher fiduciary position and

had the burden of dispelling all doubts concerning the discharge of his duties. In the

event a managing partner is unable to satisfy this burden, all doubts would ordinarily be

resolved against him." 17 Wash. App. at 571 n.3 (citing Conrad v. Judson, 465 S.W.2d 819

                                            14
No. 71926-2-1/15

(Tex. Civ. App. 1971); Bakalis v. Bressler. 1 III. 2d 72, 115 N.E.2d 323 (1953)). No

Washington case has adopted this proposition since Bow. Because it is merely dicta,

we do not apply this proposition for the first time here.

       RCW 25.05.165(5) states that no duty is violated under either RUPA or a

partnership agreement "merely because the partner's conduct furthers the partner's own

interest." AOI did not violate the duty of loyalty or any other obligation imposed because

it sought an opportunity for itself as a partner in the enterprise.

       We reject RSD's claim that AOI breached its fiduciary duties. The trial court did

not err.

       We affirm.

                                                     "^fX cA^v j ^

WE CONCUR:

                                                                      -'   •     or:-

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