I already have wealth, Nathaniel said, gesturing vaguely to the quiet house, the trees, the purple bicycle. I have enough to ensure Hazel goes to whatever college she wants. I have enough to pay my mortgages. What I don't have is the right to hand over a vital public utility to a woman who hits people she deems beneath her. I will sue you, Veronica threatened, taking a step forward.
I will tie you up in court for breach of faith. My lawyers are already preparing for it, Nathaniel replied smoothly. But here's the reality, Veronica. By the time this hits discovery, your stock will be in a free fall. The market will realize you over leveraged for an acquisition that failed.
Your board will start asking questions. Then they'll ask for your resignation. You don't have the capital to fight a protracted legal battle. You are bleeding out, and we both know it. Veronica stared at him.
The air seemed to have grown colder. She looked at his bruised jaw, the calm certainty in his eyes. She realized, with a sickening drop in her stomach, that he was right. There was no leverage here. There was no button to push, no price tag to meet.
He wasn't negotiating. He was executing a judgment. "You're destroying my company," she whispered. "No," Nathaniel said softly. "You destroyed it the moment you raised your hand.
I'm just letting gravity do the rest. " A door opened behind Nathaniel. Hazel stepped out into the garage. She was wearing mismatched socks and holding a piece of toast. She stopped when she saw Veronica, her small shoulders tensing. She immediately moved to stand behind her father, peering around his leg.
Nathaniel reached down and placed a gentle grounding hand on Hazel's head. "It's okay, bug," he said, his voice instantly softening. The ruthless CEO vanishing, leaving only the father behind. "Ms. Hale was just leaving. " Veronica looked at the child.
She looked at the man protecting her. For the first time in her life, the billionaire CEO had absolutely nothing to say. She turned around. She walked back down the concrete driveway, her heels clicking a slow, defeated rhythm. She climbed into the back of the black SUV and closed the door.
The engine rumbled to life and the car backed out, disappearing down the tree-lined road, taking the ruins of an empire with it. Nathaniel watched the dust settle. He took a deep breath of the morning air. It smelled like pine needles and damp earth. "Dad? " Hazel asked, taking a bite of her toast.
"Are we still going to the park today? " Nathaniel smiled. He looked down at his daughter, his world entirely safe and sound. "Yeah, bug," he said. "We're going to the park and then maybe we'll get some ice cream. " He turned away from the empty road, picked up the wrench and went back to work.