Chapter 13 - The Deadline
Federal subpoenas arrived two weeks after Thomas was born.
Sterling Holdings’ lenders imposed a thirty-day deadline.
Produce accurate books.
Replace conflicted directors.
Or face default.
Marcus blamed me publicly.
Privately, he tried something else.
He offered settlement.
Twenty-five million dollars.
Full custody to me.
A confidentiality agreement.
And one condition.
I surrendered all claims and testimony concerning the Sterling Foundation.
Claire read the proposal.
Then looked at me.
“No.”
I smiled.
“Exactly.”
Marcus increased it.
Fifty million.
Then seventy-five.
I refused every offer.
Not because I wanted more.
Because he was trying to buy silence with money partly stolen from sick children.
Finally, I sent my counteroffer.
Zero dollars.
Full independent audit.
Restitution of diverted charitable funds.
Permanent resignation from the foundation.
Truthful cooperation with investigators.
May you like
Marcus rejected it in eleven minutes.
That told me everything.
