| 5. RELEASE. Borrower and Guarantor agree that Lender has not breached any of its obligations under the Loan Documents, and Borrower and Guarantor have no claims against Lender, its predecessors, successors, assigns, or participants, or any of their officers, directors, agents, employees, and other affiliates (collectively, the “Released Parties”) for fraud, misrepresentation, lender misconduct, lender liability, breach of alleged fiduciary duty, or other tort or wrongdoing. Borrower and Guarantor hereby release and forever discharge the Released Parties of and from any and all claims, causes of action, rights of offset, and rights to damages that Borrower or Guarantor has or may have, or may be entitled to assert, against the Released Parties for any reason whatsoever by reason of any actions, events, or occurrences prior to the date of this Agreement. The provisions, waivers, and releases set forth in this section are binding upon Borrower and Guarantor and their respective agents, employees, representatives, officers, directors, partners, members, joint venturers, affiliates, assigns, heirs, successors-in-interest and shareholders. Neither Borrower nor Guarantor has any claims, defenses, counterclaims, or rights of offset against any of the Released Parties arising out of or in any way connected with the Note or the other Loan Documents. |