She paused for a moment, then leaned forward slightly. "But that 20% stays with me. I won't hand it to you, or to anyone else. That's a line I'm not going to cross."
Malisa exhaled slowly, nodding slightly in support.
"If the merger actually comes, then I'll find another solution," Cora continued. "There's always another way. Always. And I won't be pressured into giving away the one thing that holds this company together."
At that moment Lovi opened his mouth to speak, but Cora raised her hand slightly. "I'm not finished."
She looked him dead in the eye.
"And if it comes to this, i have someone I trust. A very close friend, someone who knows this system better than anyone. I'm going to consult him. I need to know if this merger nonsense is even possible in the first place, or just another scare tactic James is trying to use."
She seated comfortably, adjusting the sleeve of her jacket.
