DAMIEN'S POV
James called me into his office the second week of January.
That alone was unusual. James didn't call me into his office. We had lunch, we talked in hallways, we texted at odd hours. A formal meeting request meant something was wrong.
I sat across from him and waited.
He slid a folder across the desk. "Marcus Webb made an offer."
I opened it. Thirty percent stake in Cross Industries at a valuation that was generous enough to be suspicious. "When did this come in?"
"Friday. I didn't want to ruin your weekend."
"You should have called me."
"I'm calling you now."
I read through the offer terms. Clean on the surface, structured well. Marcus had good lawyers. "What's the catch?"
"Board seats. He wants two. And a clause that gives him right of first refusal on any future s
