Chapter 4 - THE FIFTY-ONE PERCENT
Evelyn’s controlling shares were protected by a trust.
She could vote them herself.
She could also appoint a temporary proxy.
But no spouse could acquire ownership through marriage, divorce or inheritance.
Her mother had insisted on those terms.
“Love should never require surrendering your voice,” she once told Evelyn.
Daniel called the restriction insulting.
“Your family assumed your husband would be a thief.”
“It applies to any spouse.”
“It applies to me.”
The company’s value increased dramatically after it developed a new medical-device component.
Several larger corporations expressed interest in acquiring the patent rights.
A sale could be worth hundreds of millions.
Richard opposed selling.
He believed Bennett Technologies should remain independent.
Daniel argued that refusing a sale was sentimental and foolish.
He began attending industry dinners without an official company role.
He met representatives from Halcyon Capital, a private equity group known for buying family companies, selling assets and eliminating jobs.
Daniel told them Evelyn could be persuaded.
Halcyon offered him a private consulting fee if the acquisition succeeded.
They also promised him a senior position after Richard was removed.
The only obstacle was Evelyn’s vote.
Daniel presented her with a proxy agreement during breakfast.
“It’s for one meeting.”
“It gives you authority for eighteen months.”
“That’s standard.”
“My attorney says it isn’t.”
His smile disappeared.
“You spoke to your father’s attorney?”
“She is the trust attorney.”
“You went behind my back.”
“It’s my company.”
Daniel struck the table hard enough to spill coffee.
Then he immediately apologized.
That evening, he told Evelyn he had received devastating financial news.
His investment fund was failing.
If he could not secure new financing, employees would lose their savings.
“I need you to believe in me,” he said.
Evelyn offered a personal loan with independent oversight.
Daniel rejected it.
He did not need money she could track.
He needed voting control.
When guilt failed, Vanessa suggested a different strategy.
If Evelyn were found temporarily incapable of managing her affairs, Daniel could petition the court to act on her behalf.
The trust would challenge him.
But a psychiatric evaluation, documented instability and evidence of self-destructive behavior might delay the company vote long enough for Halcyon to force a sale.
Daniel began referring to Evelyn as fragile.
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Vanessa began researching doctors willing to sign evaluations without asking too many questions.
👉 The company shares were the target, but Daniel first had to convince the world that Evelyn could no longer be trusted with them.
