If I am wrong, I am quite sure that someone will correct me, but the problem I have with your theory of NP/Welch is that it isn't as if Welch stepped up with enough money to keep the lights on at CYDY for the next year. It seems to me they got just enough to get by for now. No reason to fire a CEO for "just enough" money.

I agree with another poster who said you don't start negotiations for partnership by firing your CEO. That would be something that happens after the contracts are ready to sign, and then you fire him and announce partnership concurrently so that the shareholders know what is going on and the SP doesn't fall.

Firing the CEO and going completely silent for a month isn't a good look, no matter how hard you squint. Personally, I cling to the hopes of a partnership, but the Magic 8 Ball keeps saying "Reply hazy, try again later." And so, we wait.