Chapter 15 - STEFAN AND THE CHAIR
Years later, Stefan and I finally discussed the old succession fight without pretending it was about corporate philosophy alone.
“You thought I was dangerous,” he said.
“You wanted family control over operating companies.”
“I wanted more family voice.”
“You called independent directors tourists.”
He smiled.
“I was dramatic.”
“Mafia families produce that condition.”
Then he admitted something.
“If Milena had told me you didn’t know about Grace, I would have used it.”
I stared.
He continued.
“Not publicly. Against her.”
“How?”
“I would have told the board she was manipulating the chair transition.”
There.
She had feared Stefan would weaponize the pregnancy.
He would have weaponized her conduct instead.
Irony.
Then:
“You still think you should have won?”
“Back then? Yes.”
“Now?”
“No. I would have made the company worse.”
I appreciated that.
Then he added:
May you like
“You’re still annoying.”
Family healing.
