To her, my years of eighty-hour workweeks and failed prototypes were just prep work for her grand announcement.

“I’m calling Marcus,” I said.

“He’s already looking at it,” Derek said. “He called me five minutes ago.”

“What did he say?” I asked.

“He said she’s trying to force our hand,” Derek said. “If we fight this in court, it becomes public record.”

“I don’t care,” I said. “I’d rather have a public fight than let her pretend she built this with us.”

“Think about the Series A investors, Sarah,” Derek said. “They hate drama. If they see a family lawsuit on the cap table, they’ll panic.”

“She knows that,” I said. “That’s exactly why she’s doing it.”

“I have to go,” Derek said. “Marcus is dialing me back in on the other line.”

“Put me on the call,” I said.

“I’ll merge you,” Derek said.

The line beeped, and after a second of static, Marcus’s voice filled my ear.

“Sarah? Are you there?” Marcus asked.

“I’m here, Marcus,” I said. “Tell me we can stop this.”