CHAPTER 10: The Merger Dies Over Nevada

The expansion deck remained open on the table like a menu for a restaurant that had burned down.
Ryan had planned to announce the Nevada acquisition before descent. He had imagined applause, signatures, and a photograph beside Brooke after Claire quietly moved to the back of the cabin.
Instead, Claire asked the board secretary to read the conflict disclosure page aloud.
The secretary looked at Ryan for permission out of habit.
Claire said, "Do not look at him. The aircraft, the company collateral, and the trust authority you are relying on all require my consent today. Read the page."
The young woman swallowed and began.
The words were dry: related parties, undisclosed personal relationship, compensatory benefit, conditional voting transfer. Dry words were often the sharpest. They cut without seeming angry.
By the time she finished, the merger had not been canceled. It had become impossible.
Ryan looked at the passengers and saw not allies, not employees, not admirers.
He saw witnesses deciding how much distance they needed before landing.