Chapter 8 - THE HUSBAND WHO WALKED INTO THE WRONG MEETING
Adrian arrived at Vale Harbor headquarters at eleven the following morning.
He had demanded an emergency meeting.
Apparently, news of the suspended partnership had reached MorganWell before breakfast.
I was already in the conference room.
Margaret sat beside me.
Two independent directors occupied the opposite side.
Adrian entered without looking closely at the seating arrangement.
“Finally,” he said.
He placed his briefcase on the table.
“This situation is unacceptable.”
I watched him.
He continued.
“Whitcomb tells me there's been some kind of internal governance dispute.”
I said nothing.
Adrian turned toward Margaret.
“I assume you're here representing the family trust?”
Margaret smiled politely.
“In part.”
He looked at me.
“Elise, sweetheart, you didn't need to come.”
I folded my hands.
“Didn't I?”
He sighed.
“This is business.”
“Yes.”
He looked annoyed.
“Then let the professionals handle it.”
One of the directors shifted in his chair.
Margaret remained perfectly still.
I leaned forward.
“Adrian, do you know who controls the Vale family trust?”
He frowned.
“Some family committee.”
“No.”
He looked at me.
I continued.
“I do.”
Silence.
He laughed.
“Elise.”
I placed the certificate in front of him.
He read it.
Then read it again.
His face changed.
“What is this?”
“My father's majority voting interest.”
He stared.
“Since when?”
“Three weeks ago.”
He looked at Margaret.
“Is this legitimate?”
She raised an eyebrow.
“Entirely.”
Adrian leaned back.
Then smiled.
A different smile.
Calculating.
“Sweetheart, that's wonderful.”
I stared at him.
He reached for my hand.
I moved it away.
His smile faltered.
“Elise?”
I looked directly at him.
“Where were you Friday night?”
He froze.
“What?”
“At 8:21.”
His eyes flickered.
“Working.”
“Where?”
He hesitated.
“On a board call.”
I nodded.
“Interesting.”
I opened my phone.
Displayed the photograph.
Adrian and Celeste beneath the bronze canopy.
His hand on her waist.
The wedding ring shining beneath the lights.
He went pale.
“Elise—”
I looked at him.
“You were standing outside my hotel.”
Silence.
May you like
Then I said the words I'd been carrying for a week.
“And you were holding another woman.”
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