Marcus's POV
The merger talks hit a wall in May. The bigger firm wanted creative control over our core algorithm. I said no. They walked. The board panicked. Stock dipped eight percent overnight.
I called an all-hands at nine a.m. sharp. Standing room only in the open-plan space.
"They're gone," I told the team. "We don't need their money or their ego. We keep building what we started. No pivots. No layoffs. Bonuses still hit next quarter if we deliver on the roadmap."
Someone in the back clapped. Then the whole room did. Nadia stood near the front, arms crossed, nodding once like she'd already run the numbers and agreed.
After the meeting, she followed me to my office.
"You didn't mention the bridge loan clause," she said, closing the door.
"Didn't need to. We have six months' runw
