Chapter 6 - The Hostile Shift
A collective gasp echoed from the Belmont executives. The CFO looked like he was going to pass out.
"Marcus, please," Richard begged, tears actually pooling in the corners of his eyes. "You can't pull out. If Apex doesn't inject capital by Friday, we default on our federal loans. Three thousand people will lose their jobs. I will lose everything."
"I am well aware of your financial ruin," I said, my voice completely devoid of empathy. "Which is why I am not pulling out completely. I am simply changing the terms."
I reached into my briefcase and pulled out a pristine, dry manila folder. I opened it and slid a single sheet of paper toward Richard.
"The original deal was a friendly acquisition," I explained. "You were going to retain a seat on the board, keep your stock options, and walk away with a $50 million golden parachute. That deal is dead."
Richard stared at the new term sheet. His eyes widened in absolute horror.
"This is a hostile takeover," I continued. "Apex Industries will assume your debt, but we are buying your equity at pennies on the dollar. You will step down as CEO immediately. You will receive zero severance. You will forfeit all stock options. You are being completely erased from the company your grandfather built."
"You... you're taking everything," Richard whispered, his hands shaking violently as he held the paper. "You're leaving me with nothing. I'll be bankrupt."
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"You are being penalized for a catastrophic liability," I said flatly. "Your wife’s racist assault on a federal flight has already been recorded by a dozen people. That video will leak to the press by this evening. When it does, the Belmont name will be entirely toxic. I am insulating my investment from your family's rot."
I stood up, buttoning my cuffs. "You have sixty seconds to sign that paper, Richard. If you don't, I walk out that door, Apex publicly withdraws its offer, and your creditors will seize your assets by tomorrow morning. Tick tock."
