Chapter 14 - THE LAST SIGNATURE
Eighteen months after the assault, Bennett Manufacturing stabilized.
The Ohio plant improved.
The dual-sourcing program reduced compressor costs.
The big customer cut orders by 11%.
Claire had been right to model the downside.
The company survived without asset sales because the revised debt package had more room.
Then leverage fell below the threshold for seven quarters.
One more.
If the eighth quarter met the requirement, the special consent structure would terminate automatically under the agreement.
Claire watched the numbers.
Not emotionally.
Almost.
Then Michael Grant called.
“We made it.”
Eight quarters.
The protective consent right expired.
No ceremony needed.
Daniel sent formal notice.
Claire read it twice.
Four years of authority.
Done.
She expected triumph.
Instead she felt light.
Then Ethan emailed through counsel.
Congratulations. You finally got what you wanted.
Claire almost ignored it.
Then replied:
Correct. I no longer have to sign for you.
Ethan did not answer.
Two weeks later, the trust installed a permanent independent risk committee for extraordinary transactions.
Not Claire.
Institution.
Better.
Then Ethan returned to the company only as executive vice president of operations after the board concluded his technical ability remained valuable but CEO authority should not be restored yet.
Some people thought that too generous.
Others thought proportionate.
May you like
Claire no longer cared.
His career was not her rehabilitation project.
