28. Brennan
twenty-eight
Brennan
Three Months later
T oday’s gonna fucking blow.
Never, in a million years, did I think I’d be subjected to such utter and complete bullshit.
The past three months have been a whirlwind of legal drama and emotional exhaustion. Once I comprehended the CognifyAI board was serious about owning Reuniverse, we entered into initial mediation proceedings. I flew back to Palo Alto and the drama hasn’t stopped.
Lawyers. Lawyers. Fucking lawyers.
First, we fought about where the mediation would happen. CognifyAI wanted to keep everything in Silicon Valley. My lawyers pushed back to keep it in Seattle. Ultimately, we agreed on Palo Alto because CognifyAI’s headquarters are there now.
Thirty thousand bucks later, we were on to discovery.
Fights about emails. Documents. Forensic computer diagnosis. Corporate formation. Thousands of files were reviewed, cataloged, and filed. All the while dealing with endless Zoom calls, paperwork, and strategy sessions.
Ninety thousand dollars later, and we’re finally at the starting point.
This entire process leaves a bitter fucking taste in my mouth and endless legal bills.
How has it come to this? CognifyAI is my company and I hate it. Hate everything about it. There’s no joy in being the CEO. Not when I’m fighting to preserve my integrity each and every day.
I’ve done nothing wrong.
I swear to God, I’ve wanted to throw in the towel so many times. Give them both companies to stop the bleeding. Every time I get an email from my legal team, I have to brace myself. There’s some new accusation. Demand. Derogatory comment. My mental health is at an all-time low.
In a perfect world, my ability to hyperfocus would have me overprepared for this mediation. I’d be able to anticipate anything and everything they throw at me and have an answer for it all. Unfortunately, I’m so angry, my mind is a whirlpool of a million fragmented thoughts. Agitated. Spinning. Nonstop mental gymnastics trying to find some order.
That’s the downside of how my mind works, sometimes. Which sucks because this mediation is probably the most important milestone in my career. If I can harness my focus on doing well, I’ll have choices. If I can’t, I may lose two companies I’ve put my heart and soul into.
Now, what I am focused on is Astrid. Right now it feels like the only good thing I’ve got going is her and her determination to pull us through. When I’m in Seattle on the weekends, she and I spend Friday and Saturday together. Sundays we’re at my parents’ house.
Astrid’s houseboat has become our sanctuary. The one place where we can cuddle, fuck, watch bad TV and pretend everything is normal. Throughout this process, she’s been my rock. Nothing about this litigation phases her. She’s a goddamn warrior for me, her and Reuniverse.
Not so much with regard to her parents. Astrid decided it’s best not to speak to them since the horrific brunch. She says she’ll reach out eventually, but needs time to process. Whenever I bring it up, she changes the subject. I get she doesn’t like to talk about it so I haven’t pushed, but I know the situation weighs on her.
Especially now.
Part of me feels like she’s quietly quitting her family. Maybe forever.
Which is why, despite her asking me not to, I’m finding relief from the hellish litigation by researching her background. It’s kept me sane on the late nights I can’t sleep to try to piece together the situation. I can’t understand why they’re so cold to her.
I’ve made progress and, for now, it’s giving me an outlet while I’m in limbo about the status of my future.
The plan is, I’ll surprise Astrid and give her real peace. She’ll see how committed I am to her and her happiness. Ultimately, my hope is her family can heal and she can experience the same sense of belonging and closeness the McGloughlins enjoy. I know it’s possible.
But, today we mediate.
The conference room is cold as hell. I can’t tell if it’s the air-conditioning or the tension in the room. Probably both. I’m on one side of the conference table with my three lawyers and Astrid. We sit across from the CognifyAI legal team, all of whom glower at me like I’m some criminal.
I glare back but Astrid remains composed, steady, and completely unbothered. She’s stellar under this type of pressure.
I’m not. They’re here to dig. To find anything to paint me into a corner. My best-case scenario is keeping my composure because, though I’ve been well prepared, my emotions are all over the map.
The mediator, whose name I can’t remember, is a fifty-something woman in a no-nonsense black suit. She takes her place at the head of the table and clears her throat, setting the tone for the session. “The sole purpose of why we’re here is to clarify certain aspects regarding the development of Reuniverse and to address concerns brought forward by CognifyAI’s legal team. I expect both sides to be truthful and forthcoming with information.”
Astrid gives me a quick, reassuring glance before focusing back on the mediator. I know she’s ready, but it sucks she has to go through this. It’s my fight, and yet they’re using her as a way to get to me.
CognifyAI’s lead lawyer, who I call Blue Suit, leans forward. “Ms. Gustafsson, let’s start by discussing your role in Reuniverse. Please describe what you do.”
“Certainly.” Astrid nods, cool as a goddamn cucumber. “I handle the marketing, business strategy, and user engagement for Reuniverse.”
A perfect, succinct answer giving nothing else away. Brilliant.
Blue Suit scribbles something on his notepad. “You’re a realtor, why would Mr. McGloughlin partner with you on this project?”
“Because it’s my idea and I brought it to him.” She smiles contritely.
He scratches his head. “Huh. Interesting. CognifyAI started as a real estate app. Were you aware of its origins?”
“Yes.” She stares at him.
Blue Suit flips through some pages. “It’s strange he’d partner with you, don’t you think? Why did he?”
“My background in real estate has given me a lot of experience understanding how to connect people and build networks, which is central to Reuniverse’s vision.” She looks at her fingernails, which are painted blood red. “So, not strange considering I brought the idea to him.”
“Let me get this straight, you’re the one who had the idea for Reuniverse?” Blue Suit raises an eyebrow.
She mirrors his eyebrow raise. “Yes.”
“So, how did you come to partner with Mr. McGloughlin? Please give me the details.” BS is back to scribbling on his notepad.
“Brennan and I went to high school together. I reconnected with him through his brother, Connor, and I pitched the idea of doing something AI-focused for our reunion. I had a basic concept and suddenly we were discussing the idea of creating an app to help people reconnect in a meaningful way. It was meant to be for our reunion, but we both saw potential, so it developed into a business partnership.”
BS’s eyes narrow, like he’s found an fissure in our story. “When you say ‘discussing,’ Ms. Gustafsson, do you mean these conversations happened during CognifyAI working hours?”
“No. We’ve always kept our work on Reuniverse separate from Brennan’s responsibilities at CognifyAI. Our discussions and planning happened after hours, on weekends, and through private, separate channels.” Astrid’s face is so serene, it’s uncanny. She’s killing it.
BS leans back and shoots his colleague a knowing smirk. “ Interesting . And how would you describe your relationship with Mr. McGloughlin?”
My pulse spikes and I see Astrid’s lips tighten slightly. We’ve prepared for this question and I know where this is going—they want to use our relationship against us. To suggest I’ve been using Cognify’s resources to benefit a personal project.
“We’re in a committed relationship.” Astrid is clear and steady. “And it’s none of your business.”
BS’s smile is cold and calculating. “Oh, it is CognifyAI board’s business. Mr. McGloughlin cannot fraternize with his staff.”
“We’ll, I’m not his staff,” she replies, not missing a beat. “I’m his co-founder. And if you know Brennan so well, you’d realize how hyper-meticulous he’s been to ensure there’s no overlap.”
Madam mediator interjects, “Please keep this focused on the matter at hand. CognifyAI, if you have specific evidence to present, please do so.”
BS slides a stack of documents across the table to the mediator. “We’ve conducted a forensic audit of Mr. McGloughlin’s digital activity, and there are still unresolved questions. This is a motion requesting full access to all related documentation, including code, emails, and any internal memos related to Reuniverse. It extends to Ms. Gustafsson as well.”
I can’t help but stiffen in my chair. “I’ve provided everything,” I grit out. “Reuniverse operates on a completely separate system. I’ve purchased independent hardware, software, and hired separate personnel. On my own dime. With my own contracts.”
“Yet, you can understand our skepticism,” BS replies smoothly. “He’s the founder of CognifyAI and his fiduciary duty requires disclosure of any projects overlapping with CognifyAI’s interests. Given Reuniverse’s scope, it’s reasonable to investigate whether there’s been any misuse of resources.”
Astrid leans to Joe Finney, my lead attorney. “Do I need to answer him? Brennan has been transparent, and already shown them everything. Reuniverse was built with separate funding, separate resources, and on our own time.”
I can see the CognifyAI team bristle at her words. They’re not used to being challenged so directly, especially by someone they’re interrogating. But Astrid’s spot-on, and they know it. She’s been a force, coordinating with our lawyers, gathering documents, and strategizing on how to push back. Without her, I’d be drowning.
BS shifts tactics. “I’ll withdraw the question. Let’s talk about funding. Who financed the development of Reuniverse?”
“I did.” I lean forward. “Out of my own pocket. I hired independent developers, set up a separate LLC, and ensured there was no conflict with CognifyAI.”
“Who are the developers?” BS flips through his notes. “We have reason to believe some of your team members might have worked for CognifyAI in the past.”
“None of the developers currently working on Reuniverse have been employed by CognifyAI.” I shake my head. “Most of them are based in India and have no ties to my work at CognifyAI.”
BS doesn’t look convinced. “You’re telling us none of them used any CognifyAI technology or resources to develop the app?”
“Yes,” I say firmly. “We’ve been extremely careful.”
The mediator interjects again, trying to keep things on track. “CognifyAI, please move on.”
There’s a pause, and I can see BS trying to decide his next move. Astrid’s perceptive. This is called “stalling.” They’ve already delayed the IPO because they want me to sign Reuniverse over. They’re trying to keep me tied up in this legal dispute to force my hand.
Astrid squeezes my knee under the table, a silent reminder to stay calm.
“We’ve noticed some connections between Mr. McGloughlin’s family and potential investors.” BS abruptly shifts topics. “Specifically, we’ve heard Jason Deveraux is interested in investing. How much money has he given you?”
My heart skips a beat and I feel a flash of anger. I’m still unclear how they found out about our meeting. Astrid doesn’t miss a beat. “Mr. Deveraux is a potential investor. His connection to Brennan’s family is through Connor, who’s in the band Less Than Zero with Mr. Deveraux’s son Jace. I’ve known him longer than Brennan as I’ve been Mr. Deveraux’s realtor for years.”
“We’d like to issue a request for all documentation regarding Mr. Deveraux,” BS insists, his eyes glinting. “And any agreements he’s party to regarding Reuniverse.”
The mediator cuts in again, sensing the rising tension. “Let’s stick to the facts. If CognifyAI has specific concerns, they need to be addressed formally. This is a mediation, not a trial.”
On and on it goes. I find myself tuning out. As the session winds down several hours later, I’m drained. Nothing’s resolved. I hate this uncertainty. I’ve spent years building CognifyAI, and now it feels like my ambition and talent is being used against me.
Once they finally leave, I look over at Astrid to see how she is. I’ve never seen her more sure of herself and it gives me a flicker of hope.
“We’ll be fine,” she whispers as we gather our things. “They don’t have anything. They’re trying to make you panic.”
I don’t feel as confident as she does. “I wish this was over. I’m tired of fighting.”
Astrid turns to me, her eyes sharp. “Oh, we’ll finish this. We’re going to win, B. I know it in my bones.”
God, I love her.
Other than my brother Connor, I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t get rattled when faced with such adversity. It makes me believe her.
Maybe we can get through this mess and come out the other side with everything we’ve built intact.
“Okay.” I let out a long breath. “I’ll follow your lead.”
There’s nothing like a strong, self-assured woman.
Especially when she’s yours.