“The $9 million stays. Not a cent less. If you don’t have it, pack up and leave.”
“This company can run with or without you.”
I suddenly realized Richard was no longer the man who once fought side by side with me.
Clutching the fine notice, I said calmly,
“Fine. I’ll pay the $9 million. If you want me gone, I’ll go.”
Then I turned and dialed a competitor’s number.
“Ethan Walker, I’m offering you a billion-dollar project and a full R&D team. Interested?”
I heard a loud crash from his side of the line.
“You… say that again?”
“A billion-dollar project, plus a full research team.”
“In exchange, give me a Chief Engineer position at your company. And once the project succeeds, I want a $9 million bonus.”
There was a pause.
“Sophia, are you joking with me? You’re the lifeline of Skyline Technologies, a legend in the industry. Richard would never let you go.”
“Cut the nonsense. Just tell me—will you take me and my team or not?”
“Of course! Absolutely!”
Within a minute, Ethan sent me a Vice President onboarding link.
“Chief Engineer is beneath you. How about VP instead?”