Chapter 22 - ROMAN LEAVES THE HEAD CHAIR
I stepped down as executive chairman at sixty-five.
The younger men expected me to name a family successor.
I named nobody.
Professional CEO.
Independent chair.
Family ownership remained distributed through existing structures.
Sophie was nineteen.
She wanted to study veterinary science.
One old cousin asked whether she understood her responsibilities.
I answered:
“She has finals.”
He did not find that funny.
Then my retirement dinner.
A long table at Belladonna House.
Someone put my chair at the head.
I moved it.
Thomas groaned.
“Not another symbolic furniture event.”
“Quiet.”
I sat beside Sophie.
Helena sat across from me.
Nora and Daniel attended.
Strange table.
Good table.
Then one donor toasted:
“To the next generation of D’Angelo leadership.”
Sophie whispered:
“No.”
I laughed.
The donor heard.
“What?”
Sophie smiled.
“Nothing.”
Later she asked me:
“Do you actually care if I work in the company?”
“No.”
“Grandma?”
Helena answered from behind us:
“I have learned not to answer questions addressed to other adults.”
We turned.
May you like
She looked extremely pleased with herself.
I laughed until my side hurt.
