Chapter 21 - The Vote That No Longer MatteredSeven years after the staircase incident, Bennett Commercial Group prepared for another chair election.
Jonathan planned to retire.
Reporters in local business media speculated:
Would Travis take the role?
Would Adrienne finally become chair?
Would the Bennett siblings revive their old rivalry?
At dinner, Milo—now eight—asked:
“Who wins?”
Travis laughed.
“No one wins.”
“Chair sounds like winning.”
Adrienne was visiting.
She said:
“It really doesn’t.”
Kelsey smiled.
“Look at that growth.”
Adrienne ignored her.
The board nominations came.
Travis was nominated.
So was Adrienne.
So was an independent director named Elaine Foster.
Years earlier, both siblings would have fought.
Instead, Travis called Adrienne.
“What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking Elaine.”
He laughed.
“Same.”
“You first.”
“No, you first.”
“Don’t make this weird.”
They both withdrew.
Elaine became chair unanimously.
The business press called it surprising.
The family did not.
At the announcement dinner, Adrienne raised a glass.
“To not needing the chair.”
Travis added:
“To chairs generally.”
Milo frowned.
“This family is weird.”
“Yes,” everyone answered.
The vote resolved the final corporate conflict.
No hidden successor.
No sibling winner.
No Walter-from-the-grave.
The company outgrew the family drama.
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That was perhaps Walter’s real legacy.
A structure strong enough to stop requiring a Bennett at the head.
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