The days following the decision to explore cooperation with Hawthorne Capital were filled with quiet but deliberate movement inside the company. The conflict that had once dominated every conversation had now evolved into something far more strategic.
Instead of preparing defenses, the leadership team was planning expansion.
The change in atmosphere was noticeable across the entire headquarters building. Departments that had spent weeks monitoring the market and responding to speculation were now focused on operations again. Meetings were centered on opportunities rather than threats.
I arrived early Wednesday morning to find the executive floor already active. Several members of the international development team had gathered in the main conference room reviewing reports from overseas
