On Wednesday morning, the financial markets opened to a catastrophic collapse of BioCrest Therapeutics stock.
With the unsealing of the federal indictment and the arrest of Arthur and Elisa Rochefort, institutional investors abandoned the firm en masse.
By noon, the New York Stock Exchange halted trading on the company's shares.
In the executive offices of Cross Capital, Damon sat at his terminal reviewing the bankruptcy petitions.
His financial director, Marcus Stone, stood beside him with a stack of acquisition files.
"The board of BioCrest has filed for emergency Chapter 11 protection, Damon," Stone reported.
"Their assets are being frozen by the court-appointed receiver."
"What is the valuation of their regional manufacturing facilities and research laboratories?" Damon asked.
"Roughly two hundred and twenty million dollars after factoring in liability claims."
Damon turned his monitor toward Stone.
"Instruct our acquisition fund to submit a full liquidation buyout offer to the federal trustee."
"We will acquire every asset, every patent, and every facility owned by BioCrest."
Stone paused, adjusting his glasses. "Are we absorbing their pharmaceutical operations into Cross Medical?"
"No," Damon replied firmly, his voice steady as iron.
"We are dismantling their commercial patents."
"Every facility will be converted into non-profit production units dedicated exclusively to low-cost pediatric antibiotics and emergency vaccines."
"The name BioCrest will be erased entirely from the corporate registry."
Stone nodded with deep respect, closing his folder. "What will the new initiative be called, sir?"
Damon looked toward the desk where a photograph of his sister and Maya sat beneath the sunlight.
"The Evelyn Cross Pediatric Foundation."
"The company that tried to poison our children will now spend every single dollar keeping them alive."
