Chapter 4: The Empire Was Never His
Adrian didn't speak for nearly thirty seconds.
The orchestra had resumed playing, but the atmosphere in the VIP section had changed completely. Investors who had spent the evening competing for his attention were now standing at a careful distance.
Vanessa stared at the broken champagne glass near her feet.
And Adrian kept looking at the document Julian had placed on the table.
"That's an old agreement," he finally said.
"It has no relevance to the current company structure.""
Julian adjusted his glasses.
"Actually, Mr. Vale, it is the foundation of the current company structure.""
Adrian shook his head.
"My father signed that agreement under completely different circumstances.""
"Your father signed it after receiving financing from Eleanor Bennett's investment company. He also acknowledged that the controlling shares would remain in the Bennett family trust.""
"That was temporary financing!""
"Then why did your father renew the agreement twice?""
Adrian's jaw tightened.
He turned toward Celeste.
"You've been waiting years for this, haven't you?""
Celeste raised an eyebrow.
"Waiting for what?""
"For an opportunity to take my company away.""
A cold smile crossed her face.
"Your company?""
She glanced at the enormous Vale Group logo displayed above the runway.
"Adrian, Eleanor paid for the building where your first collection was designed. She financed your manufacturing contracts. She introduced you to the people who gave you your first international orders.""
She paused.
"You didn't build this empire alone. You were simply fortunate enough to marry the woman who owned the foundation beneath it.""
A few investors exchanged uncomfortable glances.
Adrian stepped closer.
"Claire, we're leaving.""
I didn't move.
"Where?""
"Home. We need to discuss this privately.""
"Why? You've spent eleven years making private decisions about my life. I'm quite comfortable discussing this one in public.""
His eyes narrowed.
"You're my wife.""
"And you're under investigation for attempting to transfer my inheritance without my consent.""
Vanessa suddenly interrupted.
"Adrian, you told me the shares were yours.""
Everyone turned toward her.
He looked furious.
"Vanessa, be quiet.""
"No. You told me Claire had already signed everything. You said the trust was just an outdated legal arrangement.""
I looked at her.
"How long have you known about the trust?""
She hesitated.
"Three months.""
"Three months?""
"I didn't know the details!""
"But you knew you were supposed to receive control of something that belonged to me.""
Vanessa's eyes filled with tears.
"Adrian said you were getting divorced. He said everything had already been settled.""
Adrian grabbed her elbow.
"Stop talking.""
She pulled away.
"Don't touch me!""
For a moment, I almost felt sorry for her.
Almost.
Then I remembered her standing in front of the mirror, admiring my mother's necklace while telling me she intended to enjoy wearing it.
Julian cleared his throat.
"Mr. Vale, I recommend that you refrain from making any further statements until your legal counsel has reviewed the documents.""
Adrian laughed bitterly.
"Do you think you can freeze my company with a few papers?""
"No," Julian replied.
"The trust can exercise its voting rights. The injunction prevents the disputed transfer. The remaining process will be determined by the board and the courts.""
Adrian turned to me.
"You can't possibly understand what this means for thousands of employees.""
"I understand perfectly.""
"People will lose their jobs.""
"Then perhaps you should have thought about them before using company money to finance your mistress's lifestyle.""
His expression changed.
"What did you say?""
I looked at Julian.
He opened another folder.
"We've identified several payments requiring investigation. A luxury apartment in Vanessa Hart's name, private travel, jewelry purchases, and transfers to a consulting company with no identifiable business operations.""
Vanessa's face went white.
"Adrian, you said those payments were bonuses.""
He ignored her.
"Those are legitimate executive expenses.""
"Then you will have no problem explaining them to the auditors," Julian replied.
Adrian looked around.
His investors were no longer pretending not to listen.
One of them, a silver-haired man named Richard Coleman, stepped forward.
"Adrian, I think we need an emergency board meeting.""
Adrian stared at him.
"Richard, not tonight.""
"Especially tonight.""
Richard turned toward me.
"Mrs. Vale, if the trust controls the majority voting rights, I assume you'll be exercising them?""
I glanced at Celeste.
She gave me a subtle nod.
"I intend to review every decision made under my husband's leadership.""
Richard lowered his voice.
"That could be significant.""
"It will be.""
Adrian suddenly slammed his palm against the table.
"Enough!""
The sound silenced the surrounding conversations.
He pointed at me.
"You think you're powerful because you've got an old document and a famous woman standing beside you? You have no experience running a company. You don't know the first thing about manufacturing, distribution, or international licensing.""
I held his gaze.
"You're right. I don't know everything.""
He smiled triumphantly.
"Exactly.""
"But I know how to read a contract. And I know when someone is stealing from me.""
His smile disappeared.
Celeste took my hand.
"Come, Claire. We have somewhere else to be.""
As we walked away, Adrian called after me.
"You're going to regret this!""
I didn't turn around.
But when the elevator doors closed, my knees finally weakened.
Celeste caught my arm.
"Are you all right?""
I shook my head.
"No. I don't know who I married.""
She looked at me with a tenderness that reminded me of my mother.
"Sometimes the worst part of betrayal isn't discovering what someone did. It's discovering how long you were willing to explain away their behavior.""
I wiped my eyes.
"Was my mother afraid of him?""
Celeste was quiet.
Then she reached into her handbag and removed a small envelope.
"Your mother gave me this shortly before she died.""
My name was written across the front in familiar handwriting.
Claire.
I recognized the delicate curve of the C.
My breath caught.
"Why didn't you give it to me before?""
"Because Eleanor instructed me to wait until you were ready to know the truth about your inheritance.""
I carefully opened the envelope.
Inside was a handwritten note.
My darling Claire,
If you're reading this, someone has finally tried to take what belongs to you.
Do not let them convince you that you are powerless. And whatever happens, never sign away the blue portfolio.
I looked up.
"The blue portfolio?""
Celeste's expression changed.
"Your mother kept it in her private archive.""
"What is it?""
Before she could answer, her phone rang.
She glanced at the screen.
Then she looked at me.
"Claire, we need to leave immediately.""
"Why?""
May you like
"Someone has broken into Eleanor's old design studio.""
And according to the security company, they were still inside.
