My husband’s family spent the whole reunion insulting me — they laughed at my clothes, mocked my business, called me a burden, and said I’d never amount to anything without him. Then my jet landed…

Terms better than GoldenTree’s by 30%. The legal team thinks our case is strong, our general counsel added. The language in last year’s agreement specifically prohibits using market position to undermine competitors.

Good news on all fronts, yet something still bothered me. This pattern with Preston, attack, defend, counterattack, felt increasingly hollow, a distraction from the work that actually mattered. After the meeting, I found myself drawn to the company’s vision wall, a space where we displayed letters and photos from users whose lives had been changed by our platform.

A woman who’d saved enough to leave an abusive relationship. A first-generation college student who’d paid off his parents’ mortgage. A refugee who’d built a thriving business using our microloan program.

Rhea found me there, staring at these reminders of purpose. We’re going to be fine, she assured me. Preston’s move may actually benefit us long-term if the Beaumont deal goes through.

I know, I said, but I’m tired of playing defense against men like Christopher. It drains energy we could direct toward actual impact. She studied me carefully.

What are you thinking? I’m thinking it’s time to change the game entirely. That afternoon, I called an unscheduled board meeting and proposed something radical. Spinning off our premium services into a separate for-profit entity while converting our core platform into a non-profit foundation dedicated to financial inclusion.

The foundation would own 60% of the for-profit subsidiary, I explained. Ensuring its services remain aligned with our mission while generating sustainable funding. The board was stunned into momentary silence.

This would fundamentally alter our valuation model, one member finally noted. Yes, I agreed. But it would also make us virtually attack-proof.

Preston can’t acquire or undermine a non-profit foundation with public purpose. Imani Richardson was the first to voice support. It’s unorthodox, but brilliant.

The foundation structure provides tax advantages for our community initiatives while the subsidiary maintains market competitiveness. Debate continued for hours. Questions flying about implementation, regulatory approval, shareholder reactions.

But by evening, we had tentative approval to explore the restructuring, pending legal and financial analysis. As the boardroom cleared, Imani lingered behind. This isn’t just about Preston, is it? She asked.

I shook my head. It’s about building something that can’t be co-opted or corrupted, even by future versions of ourselves. She nodded, understanding.

Your grandmother would be proud. Not many people voluntarily restructure away from personal profit. Marcus and I will still control the for-profit subsidiary, I pointed out.

We’re not exactly taking vows of poverty. No, but you’re putting mission above money in a way most founders never would. She gathered her things to leave.

By the way, I saw Vivian Thompson at a charity gala last week. She actually asked how you were doing. Progress, I laughed.

Did… She managed to say my name without wincing? Baby steps, Imani replied with a smile. The next morning, news of our restructuring exploration leaked to the financial press. Our stock dropped 15% in the first hour of trading, the market’s predictable reaction to any move that prioritized impact over short-term profit.

By afternoon, however, something unexpected happened. Finance for All started trending. On social media, users sharing stories of how our platform had helped them achieve financial goals they’d thought impossible.

Financial influencers praised the innovative model. The Atlantic published a piece calling it The Future of Ethical Capitalism. By closing bell, our stock had rebounded to just 5% below its opening price, a remarkably resilient performance.

My phone rang as I was leaving the office. Janelle Preston Bold move, she said when I answered. Christopher is absolutely… livid.

Is that why you’re calling? To report on his blood pressure? She laughed. Partly. But also to tell you the Preston board is meeting tomorrow to discuss your restructuring announcement.

There’s talk of legal action to block it. On what grounds? Does it matter? It’s not about winning in court. It’s about tying you up in litigation to slow you down.

I sighed, leaning against a wall. Vindictive and petty. Classic Christopher.

Yes, but he’s also frightened, she said. What you’re proposing threatens the entire predatory finance model. If it succeeds, others will follow…