ABro
Verified Expert
I agree that it served WM's own purposes, however I believe that it killed a few birds with one stone, so to speak. DM was already around 30 years old and in my humble opinion, hadn't yet come to terms with adulthood.. getting on with his adult life, finding a career/occupation so as not to just live off of the family's estate without a means to refresh it. DM seemed scattered, having taken a bunch of different things in school (not sure if he completed all of them - I read one time that he went to chef school, but I haven't seen anywhere that indicates that he achieved his chef status (which in Ontario is actually called 'cook'). He was into hanging out with younger people, smoking weed, having no schedule, doing whatever he wanted, no seeming expectations from anyone. In my view, WM was trying to set up a business that would run without DM necessarily having to have any real skills.. there would be mechanics employed to do the actual work.. accountants, bookkeepers and maybe lawyers to look after the books and legalities, etc. DM would only need to exist as the president, and hopefully oversee and understand everything, and hopefully have a comfortable income in addition to his family's wealth (which would eventually run out if there is only spending happening and no earning).
I think, imho, that it served WM's personal purposes as you have mentioned, setting DM up with a career that would make money without DM having to have qualifications, and also hopefully keep the Millard wealth going. Also it seems that previously (2011 and prior?) DM may have actually been interested in this plan, otherwise, why would he have agreed to attend those courses he travelled to the USA for? jmo.
I agree that, on some level, WM did want to help his son. And I also think DM knew how to keep his father happy enough (ie attending courses) that he kept the cash flowing, but it was still a deeply toxic relationship.