# THOMPSON-HAYES: THE INSIDE OUT
## Chapter Thirty-Four — Ashby's Offer
His attorney called Diana on a Thursday.
Diana relayed it to Mia in a text at noon while Mia was between classes: *Ashby's counsel contacted me. He wants a meeting. His words: Mr. Ashby would like to discuss a constructive path forward that serves both parties' interests before the matter proceeds further.*
Mia read it in the hallway. She texted back: *I'll call you at four.*
At four she sat in her car in the parking lot and called Diana.
"What does constructive path forward mean?" Mia said.
"His attorney was deliberately vague," Diana said. "But the structure he implied was: Ashby proposes a role for Thompson-Hayes in a reformed Meridian Foundation with new governance. He drops the patent contest opposition. Th
