Chapter 21 - The contract survives without Marcella
The independent commercial review concluded Vane Event & Hospitality remained financially viable under the restructuring.
No basis to void the debt.
No evidence Celine had coerced the original deal.
No evidence I had used threats before the gala to enforce commercial rights.
The gala incident created concern.
Governance reforms addressed it.
Vane kept several Devereux venue contracts.
Lost two after competitive rebidding eighteen months later because other vendors scored better.
Not revenge.
Documented procurement.
Victor hated losing them.
Accepted.
The $6.7 million outstanding debt declined through ordinary payments.
By year three:
Approximately $3.9 million remained.
No hostile takeover.
No asset seizure.
No “your family belongs to me.”
One afternoon Victor said:
“You know I hated that line.”
“Which?”
“Your family works for mine.”
“So did my lawyer.”
“You enjoyed saying it.”
“For three seconds.”
“And?”
“I sounded like my grandfather.”
Victor nodded.
“That’s what scared Marcella.”
“No.”
I looked at him.
“That’s what she wanted.”
He thought.
May you like
Then:
“Fair.”
