Chapter 11 - THE CHAIR WAS NEVER HERS TO TAKE ALONE
The Monday board meeting still happened.
Not the removal vote Beatrice wanted.
An emergency governance session.
Outside counsel present.
Independent director chairing.
I attended remotely from home because Dahlia had a therapy appointment and I refused to make her wait for a boardroom.
That was already new.
Beatrice attended with counsel.
Renata too.
The independent director, Alan Pierce, opened:
“This board will not adjudicate child-abuse allegations.”
Good.
Then:
“We will address conduct affecting governance.”
My slap.
The account freeze.
Beatrice’s use of family voting pressure to influence CEO parenting behavior.
Renata’s undisclosed campaign for chair.
Potential conflicts.
Miriam presented records.
No speeches.
Then Beatrice:
“Enzo has become emotionally unfit.”
Alan asked:
“Because he called police?”
“Because he assaulted his sister.”
Fair point.
Then:
“Because he allowed private family conflict to damage the company.”
My bank freeze.
Also fair.
Then I spoke.
“I should not have frozen routine accounts.”
Renata looked surprised.
“I should not have slapped her.”
More surprise.
Then:
“That does not make Beatrice’s claim that she controls my parenting a governance principle.”
Alan nodded.
No drama.
The board appointed a special committee.
Temporary limitation:
I remained CEO.
Chair powers shared with lead independent director pending review.
Beatrice could not use proxies on matters where counsel determined conflict rules applied without disclosure.
Renata was not appointed interim chair.
No one “won.”
Procedure.
That frustrated Beatrice more than defeat would have.
May you like
She understood battle.
She hated committees.
