Chapter 7 - THE PATTERN RICHARD HAD SEEN BEFORE
Megan wanted to recuse herself.
Richard refused to let her do it emotionally.
“If you have a conflict, state it.”
“My sister thinks I’m sabotaging her husband.”
“That is unpleasant. It is not a professional conflict.”
“My judgment could be affected.”
“Everyone’s judgment can be affected. That’s why your work is reviewed.”
Richard pushed a file across the conference table.
“Read this before deciding.”
It contained diligence notes from before Megan joined the Hail transaction.
Martin had resisted customer-confirmation requests for months.
He repeatedly argued that written verification could “damage relationships.”
He pushed Beacon to rely on management forecasts.
He requested that the transaction close before quarter-end.
None of that proved deception.
Together it showed the current dispute had started long before Martin knew Megan was involved.
“He needs you to believe this began at the wedding,” Richard said, “because then your family has a simpler problem than Beacon does.”
Megan leaned back.
Richard understood more than she expected.
“Why did you recognize me so dramatically?”
He smiled faintly.
“I didn’t realize it would be dramatic.”
“You called me the woman who controls Beacon.”
“Poor wording.”
“Terrible wording.”
“Your sister’s mother was insulting you.”
“My mother.”
“That too.”
Megan almost smiled.
Richard became serious.
“You should also know Martin asked me something at the rehearsal dinner.”
Megan looked up.
Martin had quietly asked whether Beacon’s independent adviser would personally attend Monday’s closing session.
He did not use Megan’s name.
“He knew someone could block the deal.”
“Yes.”
“He just didn’t know it was me until the reception.”
Richard nodded.
A second layer of motive emerged.
Martin had not plotted the wedding exclusion because he knew Megan held the approval gate.
He had wanted her away because he suspected a connection and did not want someone from Beacon entering his family circle before closing.
Diane transformed that business anxiety into class humiliation because class was the weapon she already knew how to use against Megan.
Different motives.
Same result.
Megan excluded.
Questions avoided.
Appearances protected.
She decided not to recuse.
Instead she asked Beacon to appoint a second independent adviser to co-sign every remaining recommendation involving Martin personally.
It cost Megan authority.
That was precisely why she wanted it.
If Martin was going to claim bias, she would build a process stronger than his accusation.
Friday morning, Beacon sent Hail Precision its revised valuation.
Twelve percent lower.
Martin’s father threatened to walk.
May you like
Martin did something more revealing.
He called Diane.
