Chapter 158

ELORA'S POV I didn't come to the decision lightly. In fact, I hated myself a little for making it. But Hale Technology was bigger than my pride, bigger than my anger, way bigger than the history I shared with Lucian Weston. People's jobs, years of work, and the future of the company were on line. And whether I like it or not, Lucian was the strongest lifeline we had. So I agreed. The process was smooth, nothing like the mess twisting inside my chest. The legal team moved in swiftly to draft and redraft the document. There are term sheets outlining the equity stakes, voting power, and risk clauses. Lucian’s company would inject capital immediately, enough to stabilize the breach recovery and restore other investor's confidence. In return, he'd gain a minority stake…no operational control and no interference in day to day decisions. That part was non-negotiable. We signed in the executive conference room. My signature felt heavier than the pen itself as I wrote my name beside his. When L