Chapter 5 - VICTOR’S FIRST COUNTERATTACK
Victor did not collapse after reading the folder.
He recovered.
By the time Daniel left the hospital the next day after a cardiac evaluation, Victor’s lawyers had already sent four letters.
Their position:
Daniel was manipulating NorthBridge through a hidden family interest.
He had engineered a bank acquisition to retaliate against a business rival.
He had failed to disclose conflicts in bankruptcy proceedings.
He had possibly violated lender-governance rules.
Serious accusations.
Daniel called Mara.
“Can he make this stick?”
“Some of it deserves review.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
“You’re supposed to say no.”
“I’m supposed to keep you out of prison.”
The bankruptcy court demanded disclosure.
Daniel disclosed everything.
His beneficiary position.
His protector rights.
His communications with trustees.
His recusal.
The independent investment committee minutes.
Regulatory approvals.
The trust’s bank investment had been handled independently.
Daniel had not directed NorthBridge’s lending decisions.
That weakened Victor’s claim.
But not completely.
Optics remained ugly.
So Daniel did something Victor did not expect.
He waived any personal protector authority connected to the bank investment for the duration of the litigation.
Victor called it admission of guilt.
Mara called it governance.
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The judge called it prudent.
That difference mattered.
