Too Late to Hold Me Back novel Chapter 457

"Exactly, Ethan. If you're smart, you'll resign voluntarily. That way, you keep your dignity and walk away with a handsome severance package.

But if you force us to unleash a legal team to audit you and formally terminate you, it's going to get incredibly ugly," another shareholder threatened.

"The Mercer family still controls the lion's share of this conglomerate. Stepping down now allows your father to stop the bleeding and repair the damage, which ultimately benefits you as an heir anyway."

"I suppose if you're all this determined to drag me off the throne, struggling is pointless," Ethan said softly.

He knew it was finally time to make his exit.

His earlier defiance was merely a test to see exactly how corrupt this board had become, and to create the illusion that he was desperate to cling to his power.

If he surrendered too easily, it would arouse suspicion and invite unnecessary scrutiny.

Now, looking at the greedy faces around the room, he realized Adrian's moves were playing out exactly as Mira had predicted.

Any lingering sentimental attachment he had to this family was finally, completely dead.

"Fine. Since you are so dead set on this, I'll give you what you want. I will voluntarily resign, but on one condition," Ethan said, his icy gaze sweeping over the executives.

"Voluntary resignation is the best outcome for everyone. Name your condition," a shareholder urged.

"A legal, public severance of all ties with the Mercer family. Exactly like Mira did."

"Ethan, you need to think this through carefully," one of the older board members warned, genuinely surprised.

Resigning from the CEO position was one thing, but his legal right to inherit the Mercer empire remained intact. If he played his cards right, he could eventually maneuver his way back into the C-suite.

But legally severing ties meant walking away with nothing. It was absolute financial suicide.

"Done. You have my word."

Before Ethan could even respond, Adrian accepted the deal with frantic eagerness.

He had already disowned three of his children; what was one more?

In fact, severing ties was the perfect outcome. It guaranteed Ethan couldn't use his status as a son to wage a proxy war from inside the estate later, saving Adrian the headache of squashing him again.

Pulling out his phone, Ethan dialed Lucas's number right there in the boardroom.

He didn't need a dime of the family's money, but if the Mercer Group went bankrupt, what would happen to the catastrophic debt that would inevitably cascade down onto him as a legal heir?

If he inherited a billion-dollar crater, it would destroy his medical career and ruin his life.

When his other siblings cut ties, Lucas hadn't really paid attention. But if a man as ruthlessly calculating and steady as Ethan was bailing out, the ship was definitely sinking.

After a brief second of calculation, Lucas made his choice. "I'm cutting ties."

"Good."

Adrian didn't feel a single shred of remorse or nostalgia at losing the two sons who had built the very foundation of his modern empire.

Having them both out of the way simultaneously just made his life easier.

After signing the ironclad severance agreements, Ethan swiftly handed over his security clearance, finalized the handover protocols, and walked out of the Mercer Group headquarters without a backward glance.

When he returned to the estate to pack his bags, he found Lacey in the living room. "Lucas and I have officially severed all ties with the family.

If you pack your bags and leave with us right now, I will still acknowledge you as my mother."