Chapter 7 - The Hostile Offer
The silence in the boardroom was suffocating.
Emma walked to the center of the table, pulled out a high-backed leather chair, and sat down. Marcus Cole immediately took the seat beside her, placing two thick folders in front of Arthur Vance.
"Emma, darling," Evelyn began, plastering on a trembling, fake-sweet smile. "We were just joking last night. You know how family gatherings get a little rowdy! We can put all this behind us—"
"Save your breath, Evelyn," Emma cut her off without even looking at her. "Marcus, explain the terms."
Marcus opened the first folder. "As of 6:00 AM, Aegis Systems has issued an official notice of copyright infringement and breach of licensing agreement against Vance Logistics. The preliminary injunction has been granted by Judge Thornton. All operations remain halted."
Julian looked at his father desperately. "Dad, we can sue her for extortion! She signed our prenup!"
Marcus opened the second folder and slid an 8x10 glossy photograph across the table. It was a high-resolution still frame of Evelyn shoving Emma’s face into the crystal bowl, with Julian cheering in the background.
"Pursuant to Clause 14-B of the prenuptial agreement," Marcus said calmly, "documented physical assault completely voids the non-disclosure agreements, the asset protections, and awards my client an immediate 40% lump-sum distribution of Julian Vance's total personal net worth, along with immediate dissolution of the marriage with cause."
Julian sank into his chair, his hands shaking. "Forty percent... That wipes out my entire liquidity."
"It gets worse for you," Emma leaned forward, resting her chin on her steepled fingers. "Vance Logistics owes forty-five million dollars to Sterling Capital by the end of the quarter. Without my routing system, your delivery rate drops to zero. In forty-eight hours, you default."
Arthur Vance closed the folder, his eyes fixed on Emma with reluctant admiration. "What do you want, Emma?"
"Everything," Emma said smoothly. "Julian signs over his entire 51% controlling stake in Vance Logistics to Aegis Systems for the symbolic price of one dollar. In exchange, I will restore the routing servers, assume the debt to Sterling Capital, and decline to press felony assault charges against Evelyn."
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Evelyn gasped, clutching her chest. "Julian's entire company?! For one dollar?! You're insane!"
"You have ten minutes to decide," Emma said, checking her watch. "At 9:15 AM, I walk out of this room, call the District Attorney, and release the commercial license to your biggest competitor, Apex Global."
