Chapter 3 - THE TWENTY-FIFTH BIRTHDAY
Claire’s mother, Elizabeth Parker, had died when Claire was fourteen.
Her father, William Parker, died six years later.
Three hotels remained.
Parker Grand Cincinnati.
Parker Lake House.
Parker Riverbend Suites.
The buildings were not directly owned by Victoria.
They sat inside Parker Properties LLC.
Claire inherited 52% economic ownership.
Victoria held 28%.
The remaining 20% belonged to William’s brother, Thomas.
But day-to-day management belonged to a separate company:
Parker Management Group.
Victoria controlled that company.
The management contract was unusual.
William had signed it after Elizabeth died.
It automatically renewed every three years.
But one clause gave Claire a special right.
At age twenty-five, she could force an independent review and terminate the management agreement without penalty if fees exceeded market benchmarks by more than 15%.
Claire would turn twenty-five in twelve days.
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Victoria had known about the clause for years.
Claire had not.
