"Where's the rest of the board?" Marcus asked.
Only three people were inside.
Robert Lawrence sat at the head of the table, looking relaxed and confident. James Morrison stood near the windows, his face troubled. Karen Blake sat in a corner, her expression carefully neutral.
"They're not coming," Lawrence said pleasantly. "This is a private discussion. Just the key players. Please, sit down."
"I'll stand," Marcus said.
"Suit yourself." Lawrence opened a folder in front of him. "Let's get to business. Marcus, you will resign as CEO of Thorne Global, effective immediately. You'll transfer your controlling shares to a trust managed by the board, with me as primary trustee, and sign a non-disclosure agreement promising never to discuss company business publicly. And then you'll disappear from the business world quietly."
"Really? You have planned it all out. And if I refuse?" Marcus asked.
