Chapter 2 - THE COMPANY HE NEVER OWNED
The scream came from Eleanor.
She had seen the first page of the document.
“What have you done?” she demanded.
I turned toward her.
“It's my birthday, Eleanor. You could at least let me finish opening the presents.”
A few guests shifted uncomfortably.
Hudson slammed the box shut.
“Everyone, excuse us for a moment.”
“No,” I said.
He looked at me.
“Serena.”
“You wanted an audience.”
My voice was calm.
“Let's not disappoint them.”
Camille pressed one hand protectively against her stomach.
“Hudson, what's happening?”
He ignored her.
I took the document from the box.
“Five years ago, when Hudson's first business failed, I financed the creation of Vale Atelier.”
Hudson laughed sharply.
“That's not exactly—”
“I provided the capital, developed the first collection, secured the manufacturing agreements, and incorporated the company.”
Several investors exchanged glances.
I continued.
“Hudson became chief executive under an employment and management agreement. I retained seventy-eight percent of the voting shares through a company established before our marriage.”
A man near the bar lowered his drink.
He was Peter Caldwell, one of Hudson's newest investors.
“Seventy-eight percent?” he repeated.
I nodded.
“The remaining shares are held by early investors and employees.”
Hudson stepped toward me.
“Stop talking.”
I looked at him.
“You should have read the shareholder register.”
His face darkened.
“This is a private matter.”
“Then why did you announce your affair at my birthday party?”
The words struck the garden like thunder.
Camille looked away.
Eleanor took a step toward me.
“You're embarrassing this family.”
I turned.
“No, Eleanor. I'm documenting the embarrassment.”
Tessa moved beside me.
I had asked her to come early, and now I was grateful she had.
Hudson looked toward the investors.
“This is a misunderstanding. Serena has always been involved in the company, but operationally—”
“Operationally,” I interrupted, “you were authorized to manage the business. You were not authorized to transfer its designs to a company you secretly controlled.”
His expression changed.
Peter Caldwell frowned.
“What company?”
I looked at him.
“Crownline Living.”
The name had an immediate effect.
Three people near the fountain began whispering.
Peter stared at Hudson.
“That's the entity that approached us about the hospitality division.”
Hudson's jaw tightened.
“Peter, don't.”
I felt a cold satisfaction.
So that was how far the scheme had progressed.
I hadn't known Peter had been approached directly.
I looked at him.
“Did Hudson tell you Crownline owned our designs?”
Peter hesitated.
“Yes.”
“He was mistaken.”
Hudson reached for my wrist.
I stepped back.
“Don't touch me.”
He froze.
The guests had gone completely silent.
I took a breath.
“My attorneys have already notified the company's board and relevant business partners. The ownership of those designs is disputed, and no one should rely on representations made by Hudson without independent verification.”
Hudson stared at me.
“You planned this.”
I looked at Camille.
At Eleanor.
At the guests he had gathered to witness my humiliation.
Then back at him.
“No, Hudson. You planned this.”
May you like
I closed the box.
“I simply brought the paperwork.”
