Chapter 11 - Thomas changes his story
At first Thomas said:
“I was deceived.”
Then his lawyer showed him emails.
One from eighteen months earlier.
Rachel:
Dad, I’m putting a private client through the family venue account so they can get our rate. No cost to you if they pay on time.
Thomas:
Fine. Keep it clean.
He had known at least once.
That complicated everything.
Another:
Rachel:
Can I use Hale guarantee for the Montgomery wedding? Their final payment comes after event.
Thomas:
If you’re sure they’re good for it.
There.
Authorization.
Not broad.
But real.
Thomas could not honestly claim he never knew outside clients were involved.
He had allowed exceptions.
Rachel expanded exceptions into practice.
His lawyer said:
“This weakens fraud-by-concealment claims.”
Thomas looked furious.
At himself this time.
He had been casual with a guarantee because Rachel was his daughter.
Then forgot what casual permission becomes when repeated.
May you like
Family companies do not fail only from dishonest people.
They fail from imprecise yeses.
