Chapter 19 - RAYMOND AND MARCELLO IN THE SAME ROOM
The joint ventures required a governance meeting.
Both fathers attended.
First time since the gala.
I attended too.
So did independent directors and counsel.
No private showdown.
Raymond entered.
Dad already sat at the table.
For ten seconds neither spoke.
Then Raymond said:
“You look better.”
Dad answered:
“You look older.”
The independent chair cleared her throat.
“Wonderful. Now that we’ve completed the medical symposium, can we begin?”
I almost laughed.
Agenda:
Correct prior governance statements.
Separate family disputes from company obligations.
Remove references to unsigned alignment plan.
Establish that no spouse or parent may represent another shareholder without written authority.
Boring.
Necessary.
Then Raymond said:
“I never intended to take Camilla’s property.”
I answered before Dad could.
“I know.”
Raymond looked surprised.
“Then what is this?”
“You intended to take decision-making power.”
Silence.
“That is different from ownership.”
“Yes.”
“It is still mine to give.”
He leaned back.
No answer.
Dad watched me.
May you like
Said nothing.
That mattered too.
