Chapter 22 - Genevieve Without Bell & Finch
Genevieve struggled after losing the boutique.
Of course.
Seven years of identity.
She moved from founder to:
former founder.
Industry press covered sale.
No public mention of Winnie.
Alder Row insisted family incident remain private except required legal proceedings.
No revenge leak.
Genevieve took six months off after transition consulting ended.
Her fees?
Independent committee reduced final payment by $42,000 under indemnification/accounting provisions tied to verified reimbursement issues.
Not canceled entirely.
Contract.
Then she joined a mid-sized apparel company as merchandising consultant.
Lower status.
Still real work.
She was good.
People remain talented after moral failure.
Her criminal record complicated one role involving financial authority.
She disclosed.
Employer limited expense approval.
Appropriate.
No permanent blacklist.
I told no one not to hire her.
At one point an old acquaintance asked whether hiring Genevieve would:
“cause problems with Everett.”
I said:
“Her employment is not my business.”
Important.
Powerful relatives can punish without explicit threat.
May you like
I did not want that.
────────────────────
