Chapter 6 - VANESSA FIGHTS BACK
Vanessa hired Lauren Pierce.
Excellent corporate attorney.
Lauren immediately reframed the test.
She argued:
Eleanor intentionally disguised herself,
created a reputational experiment without board authorization,
recorded an executive,
and provoked a public confrontation at a major event.
Then:
“Mrs. Hale’s behavior may be offensive, but it does not automatically establish corporate misconduct.”
Correct.
Eleanor did not fire Vanessa that night.
Important.
She suspended her authority pending investigation.
Vanessa’s defenders argued Eleanor was retaliating personally.
After all, Vanessa had kicked her.
That created obvious bias.
So the board formed an independent committee.
Three outside directors.
External employment counsel.
Hospitality compliance consultant.
Eleanor recused herself from final disciplinary vote.
Vanessa was surprised.
“You’re not going to destroy me yourself?”
May you like
Eleanor answered:
“That would make this too easy for you.”
