Chapter 4
The blue packet confirmed it.
The document was not a resignation.
It was not a transfer of ownership.
It could not remove Lucien from anything by itself.
That made its purpose stranger.
The memorandum described a procedure for a “temporary continuity discussion” if the presiding chair became unavailable during a formal session.
It cited old Moretti customs.
Not corporate law.
Not governing documents.
Custom.
The second page proposed that Mason temporarily conduct council business during any interruption.
The third page contained a draft resolution expressing “concern regarding divided executive attention.”
Lucien read the phrase twice.
“Divided executive attention.”
Elena nodded.
“Very careful language.”
“Meaning what?”
“Meaning they were building an argument, not executing a legal transfer.”
The outside governance consultant who delivered the packet agreed to speak.
She was horrified when she learned a child had been deliberately hurt.
Charles had told her there might be a “family interruption” during Lucien’s presentation.
If Lucien left the room, she was instructed to enter immediately.
“Why only then?” Elena asked.
“Mr. Charles Moretti said the council needed to see the continuity procedure function in real time.”
Lucien stared at her.
“Function?”
“That was his word.”
“Did he tell you Ava would be involved?”
“No.”
“Did he tell you anyone would provoke me?”
“Absolutely not.”
She had believed this was governance theater.
An old family elder demonstrating that meetings needed formal deputies.
Nothing more.
“Were you supposed to read the packet?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“After Mr. Mason Moretti entered.”
Lucien’s expression changed.
“What was Mason supposed to do?”
“Chair the room.”
There it was.
Mason had not merely been blocking Lucien because he panicked.
At least initially, he was supposed to remain outside only long enough for the consultant to enter and for the council to see Mason sitting in Lucien’s place.
“How long?” Elena asked.
The consultant looked embarrassed.
“Five minutes.”
Lucien almost laughed.
“Five minutes.”
“That’s what Mr. Charles said.”
“Then what?”
“Mr. Lucien was expected to return.”
That stopped him.
Expected to return.
Charles was not trying to remove Lucien permanently during his absence.
Not then.
He wanted Lucien to come back and see something.
His own chair occupied.
A continuity memorandum already distributed.
Several elders having watched Mason take control while Lucien answered his daughter’s cry.
The consultant produced an email from Charles.
The point is demonstration, not duration. Lucien must see that the room does not collapse because he leaves it.
Elena read the sentence slowly.
Another clue.
Charles did not want a successful coup conducted secretly.
He wanted Lucien to witness the replacement.
May you like
The question was why Charles believed humiliating him in front of the council would accomplish anything.
The answer would come from family history.
