It's not really Howards say, so what's the point of bringing up this question?

Apparently Howard had the say because he made Chuck do the walk of shame as he bid him farewell from the office for good. Founders of companies often get replaced, however they usually get a Golden Parachute, much like Chuck did, when they bid him farewell, accept Howard paid for it himself.

Chuck was calling Howard's bluff. But Howard took it very personally and was deeply hurt. He didn't want to let Chuck win, and it became more of a vendetta than it was two friends with a disagreement. So Howard did what any man would do, he owned up to his promise and paid Chuck off with his own money. I respect Howard for that, but in reality, Chuck had all the say up until he took the check from Howard. After that, he no longer had any leverage. All Chuck had to do was not take the money, back off from the lawsuit, and the two could have talked it out like adults.