Chapter 11 - My second mistake
The wedding was canceled.
Obviously.
But I almost turned cancellation into revenge.
Vanessa’s hospitality group managed three hotels located in properties my company partly owned.
When I learned about the cage footage, I called our asset-management head.
“Terminate every Crane Hospitality agreement at renewal.”
He asked:
“Which properties?”
“All.”
“Why?”
“Vanessa.”
Silence.
Then:
“Adrian, those agreements are with her employer, not her.”
“I know.”
“Is there a performance issue?”
“No.”
“Then I need counsel.”
I hated him for being correct.
Miriam called eleven minutes later.
“Stop.”
“She represents them.”
“She is an employee.”
“Senior.”
“Still not the contracting entity.”
“They’ll protect her.”
“Maybe. You do not use commercial leverage to punish an employer because an employee harmed your son.”
I stared through the office window.
Same disease again.
Someone hurts family.
Control the nearest system.
Make the consequences spread.
“I didn’t send the termination notices.”
“You gave the order.”
“Yes.”
“Withdraw it in writing.”
I did.
The contracts remained.
Vanessa’s employer placed her on leave because criminal allegations involving a child created reputational and conduct concerns.
Their process.
Not mine.
Months later she resigned.
Again:
Their process.
Not mine.
The restraint felt unsatisfying.
May you like
That was probably why it mattered.
────────────────────
