Ethan blinked, caught off guard by the sudden change in Eamon's tone. He leaned forward, trying to claw back control with a chuckle that sounded too rehearsed. "Now, let's not be hasty. I'm offering Sterling's legacy here. Do you realize how valuable it is to hold a corporation with this kind of history?"
Eamon placed both elbows on the table, folding his hands together, and his gaze locked on Ethan like a predator finally done playing. His voice was calm, but the words carried weight that made the air feel heavier.
"History doesn't pay dividends. Investors don't care about your legacy—they care about growth. And right now, Sterling isn't growing. It's bleeding." He tapped the contract with a finger, almost dismissively. "Every clause you've written here is a leash meant to keep you in control of something you've already lost. Authority without accountability. Rights without results. It's pathetic."
Ethan's jaw twitched. "Careful—"
