Asking the caller why he didn't have the balls to tell her in person (a valid question) and stating that she thought he was classier do not constitute a persona

Asking the caller why he didn't have the balls to tell her in person (a valid question) and stating that she thought he was classier do not constitute a personal insult. You're the board chair, about to execute a big decision like this, you do it in person. Being on a plane is no excuse; re-route your trip or delay the execution by 1 day until you're face-to-face. Even the most junior employees usually get fired in person. If anyone creates a scene, that's what on-site security is there for, although exchanging words behind a closed door meeting with very few people present is probably the most that would have occurred. Fuck it, I find her candor refreshing, regardless of surrounding issues.