Chapter 126: Split the Empire
Celeste's proposal gave me a research kingdom she did not own.
The term sheet named me executive head of Sterling Research, promised restored laboratories and budget authority, and offered revised public credit on selected platform materials.
Celeste would remain chief executive.
Conrad would remain chairman.
Nathan would remain Chief Legal Officer and her fiancé.
In exchange, I would support the Northstar transaction, withdraw public objections, and ask the Trust to restore Sterling's license. Both sisters would agree not to pursue further historical claims outside a confidential correction process.
The proposal used the word peace nine times.
It did not use Leah's name.
It did not mention Mina's testimony.
It did not require release of the complete safety record.
It also contained no independent safety committee, no employee anti-retaliation term, and no method for correcting disputed history beyond approval by the two sisters. The proposed research budget could be reduced by the CEO after one year.
Rhea reviewed authority before substance.
Celeste could propose a management structure. She could not appoint me over independent board restrictions, promise Trust property, restore a suspended license, or bind the special committee. I could not deliver those things either.
"So this is not an offer?" I asked.
"It is a proposal requiring approvals it does not yet have."
The special committee classified it as a settlement communication and preserved it without treating its terms as evidence of guilt. Independent directors could consider lawful governance proposals. They could not trade protected reporting duties for family peace.
The employee-protection administrator received only the clauses affecting staff, stripped of settlement positions. She warned that the structure could make future reporting subordinate to the same executive chain the committee had removed from control.
Celeste joined the review with counsel.
"The company needs both of us," she said.
"Then why does the proposal ask the company to stop examining what happened?"
"Because endless review will leave nothing to save."
"The review is six months old. The incident is five years old."
"Exactly. You can spend five more years punishing everyone, or take the part you always wanted."
I pointed to the research title.
"I wanted accurate credit and safe work. You turned that into a department you can give me."
"You would control the science."
"Under a CEO who can bargain away its history?"
Her counsel interrupted before the argument became another private family exchange. He asked whether I had a counterproposal.
"Not to this structure."
I did not reject every possibility of reform. Helena's last letter had allowed me to consider helping if the rules became worth saving.
This proposal kept the rules and divided the symbolism.
The research side would belong to me.
The public side would belong to Celeste.
Conrad and Nathan would keep their seats.
The witnesses would become the cost of closing.
Northstar's delayed investigation remained outside the session. No one could promise its approval. The Trust's independent trustees sent a written reminder that licensing decisions would be made under attribution and safety conditions, not a sisters' agreement.
Mercer received no copy of the confidential proposal. My role there did not authorize Julian to advise me how much Sterling authority to demand.
That was the local result.
The term sheet could not move a single asset or end a single inquiry.
Celeste asked for one final meeting before I answered formally.
"No private terms," I said.
"Agreed."
"No crown as a transfer."
Her expression changed.
"It is a family symbol."
"It is Trust-owned property under a conditional display loan."
The committee approved a controlled heritage meeting only after Sterling's authorized custodian proposed the chain. The crown could enter in its sealed display case, remain under guard, and return to storage the same day.
Celeste wanted to place the company between us as if it could be divided.
She also wanted the object she had once worn above me on the table.
The next morning, an authorized custodian signed the silver crown out of Sterling's heritage vault.