Each page carried the company’s signature, my signature, and the initials of the outside law firm that had reviewed the agreement.
“The production platform contains company-owned layers,” I said.
“But those layers depend on the foundation module.
Clause 11C allows you to own your additions while licensing the engine beneath them.”
Morgan pointed toward the security guard.
“Take her phone and folder.
She is leaving with confidential company material.”
The guard took one uncertain step.
“Do not touch her,” Eleanor said.
Morgan stared at her.
“I’m the VP of Engineering.”
“And I am issuing a legal hold.
No device gets wiped, no document gets removed, and no one accesses Clara’s accounts until outside counsel preserves the evidence.”
The HR representative near the door had become very still.
Julian spoke again.
“Morgan, did you clear this termination with Legal?”
“I followed the restructuring plan.”
“That was not my question.”
Morgan looked at Eleanor, apparently expecting help.
Eleanor gave none.
“I informed HR,” Morgan said.
The HR representative finally lifted her head.
“You told me Legal had approved it.”
Morgan’s eyes flashed.
“Be careful, Nina.”
The warning landed harder than a shout.
Eleanor heard it too.
She moved the tablet closer to Nina and asked her to repeat what she had said.
Nina swallowed.
“Morgan told me the decision came from the executive team.
She said Clara’s access had to be cut before tomorrow morning and that the paperwork could not mention performance.”
“That is not what I said,” Morgan snapped.
Nina’s hand shook as she opened her laptop.
“It’s in the meeting notes.”
Morgan lunged toward the keyboard.
The security guard stepped between them.
For the first time since I entered the room, Morgan looked unsure of who was still obeying her.
The elevator chimed outside the glass wall.
Three board members emerged with the company’s outside litigation counsel.
Maya walked behind them carrying a slim black case.
She had been in a building two blocks away preparing for another matter when I called.
The notice had already been drafted because we knew the vesting date made the final month dangerous.
Maya entered the conference room, placed her case beside my leather folder, and greeted Eleanor without smiling.
“We should discuss the cure period,” she said.
Morgan exhaled as though someone had opened a window.
“There,” she said.
“We pay the money and this nonsense ends.”
Maya looked at her.
“Payment is one requirement.”
Eleanor enlarged the final paragraph of Clause 11C.
The cure required the full $4 million to be placed in escrow within twenty-four hours, along with written confirmation that the termination had not been initiated to evade payment.
That confirmation had to be certified by a majority of disinterested board members after reviewing the relevant communications.
Morgan’s relief vanished.
Julian ordered everyone to move to the main boardroom.
Eleanor refused to let Morgan carry her phone until it had been preserved.
