Chapter 21 - BERENGER WANTS THE STORY BACK
Berenger’s corporate arbitration began before the domestic protection hearing.
His theory:
Gideon used the marriage crisis to orchestrate his removal.
Timestamps weakened that.
Board investigation began before the garden incident.
Independent lawyers retained before.
Special meeting called before Dad knew I was trapped.
Then Berenger used my $112,000 transfer.
“See? Ianthe and Gideon were preparing financial retaliation.”
I testified:
“I moved the money after the assault. It was a mistake. The board process had already happened.”
No excuse.
Then his lawyer asked:
“Did you want your father to fire Berenger?”
“After the garden, yes.”
“Before?”
“I wanted Berenger to stop using company resources to pressure me.”
“Same thing?”
“No.”
Then general counsel testified.
She first reported concerns eleven days before the assault.
No communication from Dad directed her.
CFO reported separately.
Independent directors authorized review.
There.
Corporate removal stood on its own.
Then Berenger said:
“I became CEO because Gideon wanted family continuity.”
Dad testified:
“You became CEO because the board selected you.”
“Because I married Ianthe.”
“No.”
Could marriage help perception?
Probably.
But performance history existed.
Berenger had been a strong executive before control issues.
That made the fall sadder.
He was not incompetent.
He was someone who became convinced competence entitled him to override process.
May you like
At work.
At home.
