Chapter 5 - The Frozen Penthouse Mortgage
“Claire, listen to me!” Andrew begged, looking up with bloodshot, frantic eyes. “I did it for us! I wanted to buy us that townhouse in Lincoln Park! I got in over my head with Vanessa’s connections!”
“You didn't do it for us, Andrew,” I replied, looking down at the man I had loved and defended for three years.
I reached into my handbag and pulled out a certified banking disclosure notice that my attorney, Julian Hayes, had texted me thirty minutes earlier.
“Three weeks ago, you forged my signature on a home equity loan, attempting to encumber our marital home for $450,000 to cover your margin losses on the Zurich accounts.”
Andrew’s eyes widened in pure, unadulterated horror. “How... how did you find that?”
“Because before I married you, Andrew, I spent five years as a Senior Forensic Auditor for PricewaterhouseCoopers,” I said softly. “You thought I was just your quiet, supportive housewife who cooked dinner and washed your navy shirts. You forgot that I know how to read a balance sheet better than anyone in your building.”
Karen Vance nodded firmly. “The forged loan document has already been flagged under emergency chancery proceedings. The mortgage has been frozen, and the title to the marital residence remains 100% in Claire’s name.”
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Vanessa let out a shrill, furious scream, glaring at Andrew. “You idiot! You told me your wife was a clueless schoolteacher!”
“Shut up, Vanessa!” Andrew yelled back, his polished facade completely collapsing into ugly, bitter hysteria.
