"Reasonable?" another director shot back, his voice rising. "Do you have any idea what you're asking for? That's not just shares; that's our control, our power in this company! You're bleeding us dry!"
Esme shrugged, unbothered by their outbursts. "Oh, I'm very aware. But let's not forget who holds all the cards here."
The directors were spiraling now, their panic palpable. For many of them, three percent was nearly everything they had. Surrendering it would leave them powerless, nothing more than ghosts in the empire they'd helped build.
One of them slammed his fist on the table. "This is blackmail! You're trying to kick us out!"
Esme straightened, brushing an invisible speck of dust off her sleeve. "Blackmail? Such an ugly word. I prefer… incentive."
