Chapter 22 - The Merger
Apex returned six months later.
New terms.
Hartwell valuation lower due liabilities.
Independent compliance monitor.
Meridian contract terminated.
Government restitution reserves established.
My approval still required.
Marcus no longer CEO.
The board asked me to vote.
I reviewed.
Hired independent counsel.
Asked questions.
Then approved.
Why?
Because the transaction now reflected known risk.
Thousands of employees kept jobs.
Shareholders took losses.
Executives lost bonuses.
No one got the clean victory they wanted.
That felt fair.
My trust share became worth more money than I knew what to do with.
June learned the approximate amount through a news article.
She called.
“You are making me pay for your coffee ever again?”
“Yes.”
“You monster.”
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Money did not change my shift schedule.
At least not immediately.
