Chapter 4 - Jason’s File Contained Truths
Claire wanted the entire dossier to be fabricated.
It wasn’t.
That made it more effective.
One entry described a board dinner in San Diego.
Jason had said the Northstar environmental reserve was sufficient.
Claire answered:
“If you actually believe that number, you shouldn’t be running development.”
In front of two directors.
Bad.
Claire apologized the following morning.
Jason included the insult.
Not the apology.
Another entry:
Claire abruptly abandoned committee meeting after disagreement.
True.
She walked out.
What the summary omitted was that Robert had begun discussing whether Claire’s concerns were being influenced by “anxiety about change.”
Claire became furious at the implication and left before saying something worse.
Still:
she left.
Another:
Claire disclosed confidential valuation data outside the committee.
Technically true.
She sent a valuation model to her independent financial adviser.
Was that unauthorized?
The committee charter allowed directors to consult approved outside advisers subject to confidentiality agreements.
Claire’s adviser had one.
Jason omitted that.
Then an email:
I’m done pretending this deal deserves serious consideration.
Claire wrote:
it.
Two hours later she sent:
That was emotional and unhelpful. I am not prejudging the committee’s final recommendation. My objections remain the debt assumptions and environmental reserves.
Only the first email appeared in Jason’s summary.
Selection.
Not fabrication.
Then Linda Parker said:
“This is why we investigate instead of deciding based on one spouse’s folder.”
Claire looked embarrassed.
Robert was angrier.
“Jason manipulated the record.”
Linda answered:
“Possibly. But Claire also gave him a record worth manipulating.”
Silence.
Claire nodded.
She had.
That became important.
If she wanted the board to evaluate Jason fairly, she had to accept scrutiny of her own conduct too.
Then Linda turned to Robert.
“And you.”
Robert frowned.
“What about me?”
“You repeatedly intervened in committee disagreements between your daughter and your executive employee.”
“I’m chairman.”
“You’re also Claire’s father and Jason’s father-in-law.”
Robert sat back.
Linda continued.
“You created a governance structure where family arguments and transaction disputes are almost impossible to separate.”
Nobody liked hearing that.
May you like
Which usually meant Linda was finally discussing the right problem.
---
