Chapter 12 - MY FATHER CANCELS THREE CONTRACTS
Dad’s first retaliation occurred before breakfast.
Of course.
Three Hale-family businesses relied on security and event logistics companies in which Dad held controlling interests.
At 7:12 a.m., he instructed executives:
Terminate at earliest contractual opportunity.
No emergency service disruption.
No illegal breach.
Still retaliation.
I found out because Owen called my lawyer.
I called Dad.
“Undo it.”
“No.”
“Dad.”
“The Hales want to behave like animals, they can buy security somewhere else.”
“Vanessa pushed me.”
“Owen covered for her.”
“Yes.”
“Then?”
“Then two hundred employees who did nothing should not get dragged into our family fight.”
“They’ll replace vendors.”
“After disruption you created.”
“I am allowed to terminate contracts.”
“Allowed and useful are different.”
Silence.
He hated when I used his own lawyers’ language.
“Bianca.”
“You told Vanessa her entire family would weep.”
“I was angry.”
“So prove you were dramatic, not prophetic.”
Long pause.
Then:
“Fine.”
The termination notices had not yet become effective.
Reversed.
One legal review fee already incurred.
Dad paid personally where appropriate.
He did not apologize.
Later he said:
“You are difficult when pregnant.”
I stared.
He corrected:
May you like
“You are difficult.”
Better.
