“I know,” Alexander said calmly. “And I also know most of your investors are tied to my network.”

Silence.

The realization hit.

Everything Ethan had built was collapsing.

“You’d destroy my company over this?”

Alexander looked at him.

“No. You did that yourself.”

He set the papers down.

“I’m just removing support you never deserved.”

Vanessa’s voice shook. “Ethan… what does that mean?”

He didn’t answer.

Because he knew.

No investors.

No funding.

No IPO.

It was over.

Emily exhaled softly.

“Dad…”

Alexander’s expression softened.

“I’m sorry. I know you wanted to handle this alone.”

She shook her head. “You were right.”

She looked at Ethan one last time.

No anger. No sadness.

Just clarity.

“I didn’t want your money.”

She picked up the card and slid it back to him.

“And I never needed your pity.”

Alexander wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

“Let’s go.”

They walked out together.

At the door, he paused.

“Oh—and Ethan?”

Ethan looked up slowly.

“The building your office is in…”

His stomach dropped.

Alexander smiled.

“That’s mine too.”

And then they were gone.

A week later, the city moved on—but in business circles, the story spread fast.

The IPO was canceled.

Investors pulled out.

Credit lines frozen.

The company was collapsing.