"Why?" Matthew said breathlessly.
"Because in your effort to make the company successful, you acted with negligence and selfishness. What's more, you have no long-term strategy for our product line. And in order for us to survive and continue innovating our company must have a plan."
Instantly, Matthew put the pieces together in his mind. He turned his blanched face to Peter and met the dark, unwavering eyes of his nemesis with hateful resignation.
"So that's it. Now, after I've turned the company around, you come back to run the show?"
Peter kept quiet.
"Not exactly," William said. "Byron Holmes here," he said, indicating the man seated beside Matthew, "will temporarily take over as Wallaby's president."
Matthew was deeply shocked.
William said, "Peter has decided to rejoin Wallaby in an at-large position, working on our future products. However he'll only come back if you leave." William produced a folded document from his coat pocket. "I'm sorry, Matthew, but I have to ask you to resign."
"I will not," Matthew protested loudly.
Several diners, most of them Wallaby employees, turned their heads in the group's direction.