No one spoke. Daniel leaned down until his face was inches from Marcus's. I said, "Move." Something in Daniel's eyes made Marcus flinch. He stood slowly, straightening his tie and moved to another seat. "Very well, if you insist on maintaining this charade." Daniel sat down and looked around the table.
"What's this about, Marcus? I have actual work to do. This is about the future of Hayes Enterprises. Marcus slid a folder across the table. We've received a buyout offer.
Victor Hargrove, Hargrove Industries. Daniel opened the folder and scanned the documents. The numbers were staggering billions of dollars enough to make every shareholder in the room obscenely wealthy. Victor Hargrove. Daniel repeated Victoria's former business partner. the same.
He left the company eight years ago after a disagreement with Victoria. What kind of disagreement? The kind that ends with lawyers and restraining orders. Marcus smiled thinly. Victoria refused to sell.
She said she'd rather burn the company to the ground than let Victor have it. But Victoria is dead and you're not her. Daniel closed the folder. The answer is no. You haven't even considered.
I said, "No." Marcus's smile disappeared. This isn't your decision alone, Carter. The board has a fiduciary responsibility to consider all offers. If we reject this without due diligence, shareholders could sue. Then let them sue.
Daniel stood and addressed the room. Victoria built this company from nothing. She built it for her daughter, a daughter who will inherit controlling interest when she turns 25. I will not sell her birthright to a man Victoria despised. Victoria's personal feelings are irrelevant.
Victoria's wishes are the only thing that's relevant. Daniel slammed his palm on the table. She put me in this chair because she trusted me to protect what she built. If any of you have a problem with that, there's the door. Silence.
Nobody moved. The answer is no. Daniel repeated. Meeting adjourned. He walked out without looking back.
3 days later, Victor Hargrove launched a hostile takeover. Daniel got the news from Bradford at 2 in the morning. Hargrove had been quietly buying shares for months. And with the shares Marcus had secretly sold him, he now controlled 38% of the company. How bad is it?
Daniel asked, phone press to his ear. Bad. If Hargrove gets another 12%, he'll have enough votes to force you out. Can we stop him? We can try, but it won't be easy.
Daniel sat in the darkness of his bedroom, mind racing. Victoria had left him detailed files on Hargrove, his tactics, his weaknesses, his secrets. She'd anticipated this moment, prepared for it, known that one day Daniel would have to fight this battle. He just hadn't expected it so soon. Bradford, I need everything Victoria had on Hargrove.
Every document, every email, every piece of evidence she collected. Mr. Carter, some of that information is sensitive. I don't care. Hargrove wants a war. I'll give him a war.