Mara kept her tone calm. “Rushing makes founders stupid,” she answered. The line surprised even her. She heard Ethan exhale beside her, relieved that someone said it out loud. That night, Ethan asked her what worried her most.
Mara walked Ethan through the clauses: assignment, access, and a “consulting” requirement that would lock them into Victor’s oversight for years. Ethan’s jaw tightened. “So he doesn’t fund us,” he said slowly. “He buys us.” Mara nodded, letting it sink in.