Chapter 24 - THE BOARD MEMBERS SPEAK
The corporate arbitration evidence entered the family hearing only in limited form.
Not every trade secret.
Not every internal memo.
Relevant facts:
Berenger’s executive removal predated Dad’s rescue.
My consent was required for the share assignment.
I had not signed.
Berenger knew.
He used company staff to push an incomplete transaction.
Then Ruth Mendel, interim CEO, testified in arbitration.
“The company did not remove Berenger because Gideon disliked his marriage.”
“Why?”
“Because he instructed employees to treat a spouse’s unsigned property consent as an executive obstacle rather than a legal requirement.”
Then:
“Was that alone enough?”
“No.”
“What else?”
“Improper expense approvals, threats to staff, and failure to separate personal financing from company governance.”
Good.
Then Dad.
He admitted he wanted Berenger gone after seeing the pit.
“But you did not vote?”
“No.”
“Could you have stopped the independent board?”
“I could have argued. I did not participate.”
Then Berenger’s lawyer:
“Do you hate him?”
Dad thought.
“Yes.”
Silence.
Honest.
Then:
“Did you hate him before the garden?”
“No.”
That hurt everyone.
Dad had once admired Berenger.
Promoted him.
Defended him.
Family loss.
Then my own testimony resumed.
“Do you hate Berenger?”
I looked at him.
“I am afraid of him.”
Not the same.
Then:
“Do you want your daughter to know him?”
My throat tightened.
“I want any relationship to happen only when it is safe.”
May you like
That was all.
No revenge answer.
