I could have ended it there. I could have let the machinery run and watched the consequences land exactly where they belonged.
But I wasn’t aiming for destruction. I was aiming for control—and a future that didn’t punish innocent people.
“I’m not a monster,” I said, and I meant it. “I don’t want employees hurt. I don’t want the factory stripped.”
Hope flickered in Arthur’s eyes. “You’ll stop it?”
“I’ll restructure the debt,” I said. “On one condition.”
Arthur swallowed hard. “Anything.”
“You resign,” I said. “Effective immediately. Liam takes operational control. You retire, quietly, and you never step into that boardroom again.”
Arthur stared at Liam—then at the life he’d built on intimidation.
“And if I refuse?”
“Then the gates lock at 8:00 AM,” I said. “And I sell the equipment for scrap.”
He didn’t argue. He couldn’t.
Arthur nodded. “Fine. I resign.”
Then I called the waiter.
“Bring the bill,” I said. “For the entire restaurant. Everyone tonight.”
The waiter blinked. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Except this table,” I added, nodding at Arthur. “He can pay for his own soup.”
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