Chapter 7 - Robert Had Helped Jason Become Powerful
Robert wanted to fire Jason immediately.
Linda Parker stopped him.
“You cannot use the company to settle your daughter’s marriage.”
Robert’s face reddened.
“He put his hands on her.”
“Then Claire has personal legal options.”
“He built a file against a director.”
“Then the company investigates that.”
“He concealed a conflict.”
“And if established, the board handles it.”
Robert hated the separation.
It was necessary.
Then Claire asked him:
“Why did you give Jason so much authority?”
Robert looked at her.
“He earned it.”
“Some of it.”
Robert went quiet.
Jason joined Bennett Lakeshore as a senior development director.
Three years later:
vice president.
Then executive vice president.
Fast.
Robert liked him.
Same appetite for deals.
Same direct communication.
Same comfort with risk.
Claire, by contrast, questioned:
everything.
As a teenager she challenged Robert at dinner.
As a director she challenged him in meetings.
Robert loved his daughter.
He did not always enjoy working with:
her.
Jason became easier.
Then one old email surfaced.
Robert to Jason:
Claire gets locked into positions. Help me manage her around the committee.
Claire stared at her father.
“Manage me?”
Robert looked ashamed.
“I meant keep the discussion productive.”
“Then why not write that?”
No answer.
Another message:
If she starts spiraling on the environmental issue, pull her back to economics.
Claire’s voice became colder.
“You were talking about me like I was an employee you couldn’t control.”
Robert answered:
“I was frustrated.”
“Jason learned from you that controlling me was part of his job.”
That hurt.
Robert wanted to deny it.
Didn’t.
He had not taught Jason to grab Claire.
He had, however, normalized the idea that Claire’s resistance was something men around her needed to:
manage.
At home Jason used the same word.
At work Robert used it casually.
Different severity.
Same underlying assumption.
Robert finally said:
“I’m sorry.”
Claire answered:
“Good.”
Then:
“Now stop trying to fix this by firing him because you’re angry.”
That surprised:
him.
She wanted Jason held accountable.
Not destroyed by her father.
May you like
There was a difference.
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