But no one could afford to back down, for if one side retreated, they would have to bear such a stigma. Abroad, and especially in a country like the United Kingdom, where the law is strict and commercial credibility is of utmost importance, especially amongst the old nobility who value their family reputation to an infuriating degree, such a reputation could destroy the prestige they had established over hundreds of years in an instant. Furthermore, the future development of their family enterprises would suffer a huge reduction. To put it seriously, if not handled properly, it wouldn't be impossible for them to fall into decline just like that.
With so much at stake, how could either family back down? Let alone being on good terms, not even blood brothers could swallow such a blow to their pride!
