Bidermann

"On December 14, two days before the government decision, Julien Charlier receives Bernard Arnault at his home on Rue de la Faisanderie. The young man is tired but still determined. He lays his cards on the table: "If you don't agree to become my advisor, I risk losing the game." Charlier is quick to seize the opportunity offered to him. By becoming Boussac's consultant, he will be able to see his competitor's cards before playing his own and he will block the path of his enemy Bidermann. He sets his conditions: a commission of 0.75% on Boussac's turnover (nearly 10 million francs) and the possibility of buying Boussac (if Arnault is a seller) 20% below the price of other offers. The boss of Férinel accepts these exceptional conditions, which he will later remember when he imposes an identical clause on his future partner, Guinness. He now holds the last trump card he was missing."

"An inter-ministerial committee meets at the Hôtel Matignon. The Prime Minister and the relevant ministers have delegated members of their cabinet. Among them are Hélène Ploix, Robert Léon for Finance, Patrice Léopold for Industry, and Alain Boublil for the Élysée. The discussion will not be long. The instruction has been given to choose the solution that avoids any new legal challenge. Therefore, the Arnault plan easily wins because it allows to immediately put an end to a case that has been dragging on for three and a half years, while the appointment of Bidermann would be equivalent to starting over: the agreements between the Willot and the boss of Férinel would have to be cancelled. At 10 pm, Hélène Ploix calls the interested parties and promises them an answer by 10 am the next day."