Chen exhales slowly.
"And Seamus?"
"He attends Friday's meeting," Graham says. "Reviews the finalized terms. Casts his vote."
The room understands what that means.
By then the decision will already be made. The announcement will be public. The acquisition will be in motion.
Seamus will have a choice: endorse the board's decision, or publicly oppose his own company.
Robert's voice is quiet.
"And if he refuses?"
Graham tilts his head slightly, as though the question surprises him—as though he hasn't already considered this exact scenario in exhaustive detail.
"Our bylaws include provisions for leadership intervention if a CEO acts against the company's best interests."
No one speaks.
Everyone in the room knows the clause. The mechanism buried in the corporate structure for exactly this kind of situation.
Even a majority shareholder can be removed if the board votes that he is not acting in the interest of the company.
Robert rubs her jaw.
"You think it's come to that?"
"I think," Graham says carefully, "that the company must remain stable regardless of personal circumstances."
He believes that.
That's what makes it effective.
This isn't cruelty for its own sake—it's necessity. Graham genuinely believes that Seamus is compromised, that sentiment has clouded his judgment, that someone needs to make the hard decisions when leadership falters.
That's always been his role. The person willing to do what others won't.
Malcolm closes the presentation.
"All in favor of proceeding with the revised acquisition offer?"
Hands rise slowly.
One.
Two.
Three.
Then the rest.
The motion carries.
Malcolm gathers his notes.
"We'll prepare the announcement."
