The Severance Clause

The Hostile Takeover

~Sloane~

"The final offer is forty million," I said, sliding the contract across the conference table.

The opposing CEO stared at the paper. "Ms. Mercer, our shipping company is worth at least sixty million. You're severely undervaluing our assets."

I kept my posture perfectly straight, watching him hesitate. My mind briefly flashed back to the day I started this firm. Four years ago, I woke up in Victor's car crossing the state line, having survived the severance ritual. I spent the next three years using the encryption keys I took from Dominic Draven to build Mercer Holdings from the ground up. I turned the stolen Apex capital into a ruthless venture capital firm, dedicating every waking moment to securing enough power to protect my son. I spent four years waiting for the right moment to strike. Now, I sat at the head of this table, systematically dismantling the Apex Industries supply chain.

"Your company has been losing money for six months, taking massive losses from the Varkov family debt," I replied smoothly. "You don't have any other buyers. You sign this today, or you file for bankruptcy on Monday morning."

He looked at his lawyers. They didn't offer any help. They knew the numbers were accurate, and they knew fighting me would only lead to total liquidation.

"If I sign this, you control the entire eastern seaboard distribution network," he argued, gripping the edges of the table. "Apex Industries relies entirely on those routes. You'll cut them off completely."

"That's the point," I stated. "Sign the contract."

He picked up the pen and signed his name on the dotted line.

I took the folder, handed him a copy of the finalized agreement, and walked out of the boardroom. I headed back to my private office.

Marcus sat in the corner of the room, stacking alphabet blocks. He was three years old, with dark hair and pale eyes. He looked exactly like his father. He already possessed the raw energy of a True Alpha, an internal power that commanded attention.

"Mommy," Marcus said, looking up from his toys. "I made a castle."

"It's a very good castle," I replied, walking over to my desk. I sat down in my chair and opened a new file on my computer, verifying the shipping company transfer.

My office door opened. Victor walked in, closing the door behind him and stepping up to my desk.

"We have a problem," Victor said.

"Report," I ordered.

"Dominic Draven just entered the building," Victor stated. "He bypassed our security desk and forced his way into the private elevator. He's coming up right now."

My jaw tightened. Dominic spent the last four years running Apex into the ground alongside Elena Varkov. He finally realized my firm was buying out his supply chains. He came here to intimidate a rival CEO, not knowing who owned this company.

"Let him up," I said.

"I can stop him before he reaches this floor," Victor offered, dropping his hands to his sides.

"No," I replied. "Stay in the room."

The office door swung open, hitting the wall.

Dominic stood in the doorway. He wore a dark suit, his hands curled into tight fists. He glared into the room, ready to threaten whoever sat behind the desk.

Then, he looked directly at me.

He stopped walking immediately. The anger vanished from his face, replaced by absolute shock. His jaw dropped.

I sat behind my desk, wearing a tailored white suit. I didn't say a single word. I stared at the man who handed me divorce papers in front of the press four years ago.

"Sloane?" His voice cracked. He took a slow step into the room. "You're the CEO of Mercer Holdings?"

"You made a poor investment when you married Elena Varkov, and I simply capitalized on your vulnerability," I said. "It's just business."

Dominic's shock faded, rapidly shifting back into anger. He straightened himself, pushing his shoulders back to project his Alpha authority. He assumed I was still the weak, low-ranking wife who desperately loved him.

"You stole my encryption keys," Dominic demanded, his voice rising in volume. "You vanished for four years, and now you're sabotaging my supply chains. Stop this childish revenge game and give me the codes. I can forgive the theft, Sloane. We can fix this."

"I'm not playing a game," I corrected him. "I am bankrupting you."

He stepped closer to the desk, trying to use his Alpha command. "You are still my mate. You will return the assets immediately."

A low growl echoed from the corner of the room.

Dominic froze. His head snapped toward the corner.

Marcus stood up from his blocks. His small hands curled into fists. He glared at the man entering the room, baring his teeth.

Dominic stared at the three-year-old boy. He looked at Marcus's dark hair, his pale eyes, and the shape of his jaw.

"A son," Dominic choked out, taking a step toward Marcus. "I have a son."

"His name is Marcus," I said, stepping around my desk to stand between them.

Dominic looked at me, his eyes flashing with territorial possessiveness. "You hid my heir from me. Pack law dictates a True Alpha must be raised in his father's territory. I'm taking him back to Apex."

"You aren't taking anything," I stated coldly. "You have no authority here."

"The mate bond gives me absolute authority over my family," Dominic snapped, pointing a finger at me. "You're coming back with me, Sloane. Both of you."

I looked at him without blinking.

"There's no bond, Dominic."

He frowned, shaking his head. "What are you talking about? We're fated. You can't just ignore it."

"I didn't ignore it," I said. "I severed it."

Dominic stopped breathing. The arrogance drained out of him instantly. "That's impossible. Severing a fated bond kills the wolf."

"It nearly killed me," I stated. "I burned the connection out of my chest. I don't feel you. You're nothing to me but a failing business rival."

Dominic's knees gave out. A full-grown pack leader collapsed onto the floor in the middle of my office. His leverage was completely gone. No money, no mate bond, no power.

"No. Sloane, you didn't." He looked up at me, desperation etching into his face.

"I did," I said. "Now, if you want to see your son, and if you want to keep your company from going bankrupt, you're going to agree to my exact terms."

Dominic swallowed hard. His chest heaved with rapid breaths. "What terms are you demanding?"

"You work for me now," I stated clearly. "You answer to me, and you follow my orders. If you step out of line once, I will completely liquidate Apex Industries. I will strip your pack of its remaining assets, ruin your legacy, and ensure you never see this boy again."

Dominic looked at his son hiding behind my legs, then looked back up at me.

"Do we have a deal?" I asked.

Dominic lowered his head, exposing his neck in a sign of absolute submission.

"Yes," he whispered.