Chapter 11: The Women Who Lost the Montaro Empire
The special board committee suspended Lucille and Celina from all governance roles pending final review.
Neither woman was removed from the family.
That was not something a board could decide.
But access to company systems, foundation accounts, private offices, and governance meetings disappeared immediately.
Lucille responded through counsel.
She denied intending harm to Emmett.
Her attorney argued that the banquet incident was an impulsive act later exploited politically by both sides.
The evidence made that position difficult.
Celina broke first.
Not publicly.
Through her own attorney.
She admitted knowing Lucille planned to provoke Rafael.
She insisted she never expected Lucille to kick the plate.
According to Celina, the plan was supposed to involve verbal humiliation.
Lucille would criticize the dessert.
Celina would join.
Rafael would become angry.
The directors would witness it.
That distinction did not help as much as Celina hoped.
Katherine told her attorney:
“You’re arguing that your client planned emotional abuse of a three-year-old but hoped it would remain verbal.”
Celina stopped trying to make that sound reasonable.
The cooperation did reveal another consequence.
Lucille had already prepared foundation changes she intended to approve during Rafael’s temporary removal.
Those changes would restore discretionary family entertainment accounts Rafael had frozen.
Celina would regain control of several million dollars in annual spending.
Again, motive.
Not excuse.
Meanwhile, the forensic investigation found problems Rafael did not want.
Two older company divisions had improperly reimbursed family expenses.
A real-estate subsidiary had questionable contractor arrangements dating back years.
None involved Emmett.
None involved the banquet.
Rafael refused to hide them.
Three executives were dismissed.
Back taxes and penalties were calculated.
One matter went to regulators.
Rafael personally lost money when the company had to restate several transactions.
Lucille sent word through a cousin:
This is what I was trying to prevent.
Rafael responded through Katherine.
No. This is what you were trying to control.
May you like
There was a difference.
He was finally willing to pay for it.
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