Chapter 4 - The Press ReleaseBy noon, the financial news networks had stopped talking about tech valuations and started covering corporate warfare.
“Hayes Vision Faces Immediate Insolvency as Co-Founder Ex-Wife Seizes Core Patents.”
Inside the executive washroom, Liam gripped the edges of the marble sink, staring at his reflection. His tie was ripped off, his shirt collar unbuttoned, his skin slick with nervous sweat. He splashed cold water over his face, gasping for air as the reality of his crumbling world closed in.
His phone, sitting on the counter, buzzed incessantly. Text messages from investors demanding emergency meetings. Emails from board members calling for an extraordinary vote of no confidence. Even Khloe had texted him a single, brutal message: “Call me when you figure your life out. I’m staying at my agent’s place.”
He was alone.
Just like he had been six years ago in that leaky Queens apartment—except back then, he had Olivia. Back then, someone believed in him. Back then, failure was just a stepping stone because they shared it together.
Now, he had traded loyalty for a trophy, and ambition for arrogance. And the bill had finally come due.
The bathroom door creaked open.
Liam spun around, expecting a lawyer or a desperate board member. Instead, it was Marcus Vance.
Marcus leaned casually against the doorframe, his hands in his pockets, watching Liam with the detached coldness of an apex predator observing a trapped animal.
“You look terrible, Hayes,” Marcus said smoothly.
Liam lunged forward, grabbing Marcus by the lapels of his custom suit. “This is personal! You did this just to humiliate me! You manipulated her!”
Marcus didn't flinch. He didn't even blink. With a single, effortless motion, he reached up, peeled Liam’s hands off his jacket, and straightened his lapel.
“You flatter yourself, Liam,” Marcus said, his voice dropping an octave into something chillingly low. “I didn't manipulate Olivia. I watched you throw away a brilliant, loyal woman because you wanted a shiny accessory for your arm. I simply stepped in to offer her the resources she deserved from day one.”
“She’s carrying my children!” Liam screamed, desperation cracking his voice.
“She is carrying our future,” Marcus corrected, his eyes locking onto Liam’s with lethal intensity. “And you forfeited any right to that family the moment you threw her out onto the street with a severance check and a speech about outgrowing her.”
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Marcus turned toward the door, pausing just before he stepped out into the hallway.
“The board meeting starts in five minutes, Hayes. You can either walk in there and resign gracefully, or I can let Olivia strip the remaining assets and leave you bankrupt by dinner time. Your choice.”
