Chapter 25 - THE VOTE
The board approved separation.
Five to two.
Alan Pierce became independent chair for two years.
I remained CEO after a separate confidence vote.
Six to one.
Not unanimous.
Good.
No coronation.
Governance reforms passed.
Family advisory council created for heritage, philanthropy and nonbinding family matters.
No operational authority.
Professional trustees for several family voting vehicles.
Disclosure requirements.
No matriarch veto.
No hereditary chair.
Renata retained her ownership shares.
Beatrice retained hers.
No confiscation.
No revenge dilution.
Her votes still counted.
Just not more than documents allowed.
After the meeting, reporters waited downstairs because family conflict had leaked months earlier.
I gave one statement.
“The company separated chair and CEO roles as a governance decision. My family matters are separate.”
No mention of Dahlia.
She was not a corporate press release.
Then Renata caught me near the elevator.
“Do you hate me?”
I looked at her.
“Yes.”
She flinched.
Then I continued:
“Some days.”
She stared.
“I don’t know what that becomes.”
She nodded.
“Will Dahlia ever—”
“Not today.”
She stopped.
May you like
Good.
Boundaries no longer required cruelty.
