Chapter 94 Chapter 94: Bitter Edge
Chapter 94 Chapter 94: Bitter Edge
GARRISON’S POV
I ended the call with Elias and set my phone on the kitchen counter. Martha stood nearby, arms wrapped around herself. Her uncle’s sudden visit this morning still lingered in the air like smoke. I crossed the room and pulled her against my chest.
“They will not bother you again,” I said. “Elias is filing a restraining order today. We are also sending a cease and desist letter demanding they remove that post. If they refuse, we sue. I made it very clear to your uncle on the phone just now that any further contact means jail time.”
Martha looked up at me. “He sounded angry when you spoke to him. What did he say?”
“He blustered and threatened to go to the press. I reminded him I have more resources and zero patience left for his games. He backed down when I mentioned evidence of past financial harassment against your father. They know they cannot win this one.”
She exhaled slowly and some tension left her shoulders. We spent the next hour together reviewing documents Elias emailed over. I watched her carefully as she read the statements. Every protective instinct in me burned hotter after seeing her relatives invade our home. No one would use her past or the recent scandal to hurt her again.
By midday the legal wheels turned fast. Elias confirmed the post had been removed from the main platforms. A formal letter went out to her uncle’s family. I felt satisfied with the progress. Martha rewarded me with a long kiss before I prepared for my afternoon schedule.
I changed into a tailored suit and kissed her goodbye at the door. “I have that merger meeting with the TechVista team. It should wrap by evening. Call me if anything else happens with your family.”
“Be safe,” she replied, squeezing my hand. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
The drive across town gave me time to clear my head. I reviewed merger notes on my tablet while the city passed by my window. This deal mattered. TechVista brought innovative software that would expand our market reach significantly. I intended to close it strongly.
I arrived at the upscale conference venue downtown. The meeting room overlooked the river with large windows and a long mahogany table already set with water pitchers, notepads, and coffee. Representatives from both companies filled the chairs. I shook hands with their CEO, Richard Harlan, and took my seat at the head.
“Let us get started,” I said. “We all want this partnership to succeed.”
The discussion opened with financial breakdowns. Their lead analyst presented slides on projected revenue. I asked sharp questions about integration timelines and risk factors. My team countered with our own data. Numbers flew back and forth across the table. Hours passed as we negotiated terms clause by clause.
Richard leaned forward during a break in the presentations. “Your company brings stability we need, Garrison. But we want more flexibility on the leadership structure post merger.”
I nodded and laid out our counter proposal. “We keep key decision rights in the first two years to ensure a smooth transition. In exchange we increase your equity share by three percent. That balances control and reward.”
Debate heated up around the table. Voices rose and fell. I sipped from the glass of water a waiter had refilled earlier. The cool liquid felt good after hours of intense talk. We moved through contract specifics, intellectual property rights, and employee retention plans. I thrived in these marathon sessions. Every concession earned felt like another piece clicked into place.
One of their lawyers pushed back on liability clauses. “Your side needs to absorb more risk on legacy systems.”
I countered immediately. “We absorb reasonable risk. Anything beyond standard industry practice comes off the table. Show me comparable deals if you disagree.”
The room stayed engaged. Phones stayed mostly silent except for quick checks. I glanced at my watch once. Time stretched but progress continued. We broke for a short fifteen-minute refreshment period where fresh coffee and sandwiches appeared. I ate lightly and continued informal talks with Richard about long-term vision. The merger excited me. It represented growth, security for our future, and stability for the family I was building with Martha.
We resumed with renewed energy. I presented our final adjusted offer on executive roles. Tension thickened as both teams reviewed the numbers. Sweat beaded on my forehead despite the air conditioning. I took another drink of water and pressed forward.
“These terms protect both companies,” I stated clearly. “We move forward together or we walk away stronger individually. Your call, Richard.”
He consulted his team in hushed tones. I waited, maintaining steady eye contact. My stomach suddenly twisted uncomfortably. I ignored it at first and focused on the response.
Richard smiled. “We have a deal, Garrison. With the adjustments you proposed.”
Relief mixed with satisfaction. Handshakes went around the table. Papers slid across the wood as we prepared to sign. I reached for my pen, but my fingers felt oddly clumsy. A wave of nausea hit me stronger this time. My vision blurred at the edges. I shook my head slightly and tried to steady myself.
Something was wrong. Something felt very wrong.
My heart raced unevenly. Sweat poured down my back now. The room tilted. I gripped the edge of the table and forced my voice to stay calm.
“Gentlemen, if you will excuse me for one moment.”
I stood up but my legs nearly buckled. The water. The last refill. A bitter aftertaste lingered in my memory. Poison. The realization slammed into me as I fumbled for my phone in my pocket. My hands shook violently. I managed to dial Martha’s number.
The call connected. Her voice came through faintly. “Garrison?”
“Martha… I… think… I’ve… been… poisoned… please help…”
My knees gave out. The phone slipped from my grasp and clattered on the floor. Shouts erupted around the table as people rushed toward me. Darkness closed in fast, heavy and absolute. My last thought before everything went black centered on her.