Chapter 6
The wedding vendors began asking whether they would still be paid.
Genevieve found the question insulting until Claire explained the problem.
Derek’s family had agreed to cover several major reception costs as part of the wedding arrangements.
Callahan accounts had not funded them.
Invoices totaling nearly $480,000 remained outstanding.
Genevieve could pay them easily.
She did.
Not to protect Derek.
Because florists, caterers, musicians, drivers, and staff did not deserve to become collateral damage in a family power struggle.
The payment irritated Lucille.
She called Adelaide directly.
“You enjoy making us look poor?”
Adelaide put the call on speaker without warning her.
Genevieve was sitting across the room.
Adelaide said, “You’re doing most of the work yourself.”
Lucille’s voice sharpened.
“You think because you own a block of shares you understand what men like Derek are trying to build?”
Genevieve’s eyes met her mother’s.
Adelaide replied calmly.
“I understand debt.”
Lucille hung up.
That sentence became important later.
Bellomo’s forensic accountant found that Callahan Infrastructure’s problems were larger than delayed subcontractors.
A bond financing tied to a major municipal construction project required Callahan to maintain specific liquidity and debt ratios.
They had breached both.
Their lender had granted temporary waivers.
The latest waiver expired in twenty-three days.
If the company failed to cure the breach, lenders could demand accelerated repayment or seize collateral.
Genevieve looked at the figure.
$68 million.
Not all due immediately.
Enough to threaten Callahan control.
Claire sat opposite her.
“The Bellomo guarantee would solve the covenant issue almost overnight.”
“So that’s what they need.”
“Maybe.”
Genevieve hated the word.
“What’s missing?”
“Why they expected Adelaide to sign.”
“Pressure.”
“Not enough.”
Claire pushed over the lender presentation.
Callahan had told its bank that “required Bellomo shareholder consents” were expected immediately after the wedding.
Not hoped for.
Expected.
Genevieve read the phrase again.
“My mother had already refused.”
“Yes.”
“Then Derek knew that statement was false.”
“Unless he believed something would change her decision.”
Genevieve thought about the reception.
Derek kicking away the chair.
Lucille smiling.
The humiliation had been vicious.
But it had not looked like a negotiation.
May you like
It looked like punishment.
Maybe Adelaide’s refusal had already cost the Callahans something they could not recover.
