Lanier’s appointment to the Renraku board had created a considerable stir in the corporate community. Lanier was a valuable Fuchi employee, but the conflict of interest involved in becoming such a major Renraku shareholder clearly made it impossible for Lanier to continue to serve Fuchi if he wished to retain his newfound stock. So Lanier left Fuchi and took up his seat on the board. Rumor had it that his resignation from Fuchi had led to an explosive argument with his former employer and friend, Richard Villiers. Fuchi slammed the door behind Lanier and started work on changing the locks.