Chapter 10 - THE COMPANY CLAIRE ALMOST LOST BY WINNING
Claire’s first instinct was to expose everything publicly.
Maya stopped her.
“If you destroy Daniel’s credibility before we stabilize the company, vendors may run.”
“He stole it.”
“I know.”
“Then say it.”
“Privately first.”
Claire hated that.
Then Noah showed her cash projections.
If three large customers paused contracts, Bennett Industrial would breach payroll within six weeks.
Daniel knew.
That was why he attached his takeover to business continuity.
If Claire fought recklessly, the company could collapse and Daniel would say:
See?
She chose revenge over employees.
So Claire changed strategy.
She called the three largest customers herself.
Not to accuse Daniel.
To say:
“There is a governance dispute. Operations remain funded. Your contracts will be honored.”
Then suppliers.
Then senior engineers.
Calm.
No drama.
Daniel noticed.
He texted:
Finally acting like a CEO.
Claire did not answer.
Then she discovered why he sounded confident.
Meridian had advanced Daniel $600,000 personally under a refundable transaction-development agreement.
If the deal failed because Daniel lacked authority, he owed it back.
He had already used most of it.
Debt.
Private school? no kids. Better mortgage/investments/legal retainers.
$210,000 to pay off personal investment losses.
$140,000 to Evelyn.
$95,000 legal retainer.
Remaining living expenses and debt.
Daniel did not only want the deal.
He needed it to close.
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If Claire regained control, he faced a seven-figure financial hole.
Now desperation had a number.
