Chapter 24 - I stop being the scariest man in the room
My reputation outlived most of the conduct that created it.
People still lowered voices when I entered.
Some liked the mythology.
Some used it against me.
I had benefited from it too.
Reservations appeared.
Calls returned.
Difficult negotiations became easier when people imagined consequences I never stated.
After the gala, I started noticing the cost.
Elowen noticed bodyguards.
Guests noticed doors.
Vendors noticed my surname.
If I wanted clean consent around me, I had to reduce ambiguity.
Devereux Holdings adopted written protocols for interactions between ownership and portfolio companies.
No informal directives from family principals.
No security presence inside ordinary commercial negotiations.
Independent complaints channel.
More board authority.
Less Alaric.
My uncle called it:
“castration by governance.”
I told him:
“You have three divorces and a federal conviction. I’m not taking masculinity advice.”
He stopped talking to me for a month.
Peaceful.
I also reduced personal security at Elowen’s school and ordinary events.
Not recklessly.
Threat assessments remained.
But no parade.
At her third-grade art show I went with one discreet security professional outside.
Inside:
Just Dad.
May you like
Elowen held my hand.
Nobody closed doors.
