Chapter 4 - The Golden Cage Crumbles
The shock wave hit Patricia like a physical blow. She staggered backward, leaning heavily against the hood of the Mercedes. Her mind fought against the reality, frantically searching for loopholes. ""The judge! Judge Vance would never allow this! We had an agreement! You agreed to walk away with a nominal cash settlement! Grant gets to keep his assets!""
Rebecca Sloan stepped forward, opening her leather portfolio and pulling out a stamped transcript from that morning’s closed-door proceedings.
""Mrs. Monroe, perhaps you should have attended the preliminary settlement conference instead of shopping on Rodeo Drive last month,"" Rebecca said with cutting professional efficiency. ""Grant signed a voluntary waiver forfeiting any claim to Sterling Trust holdings in exchange for Allison waiving all claims to his partnership shares in Monroe Commercial Real Estate. What your brilliant legal team failed to realize was that your son’s partnership shares are currently leveraged against four defaulting suburban office parks. Grant didn't walk away with the house. He walked away with eleven million dollars in commercial debt, while Allison retained sole title to unencumbered family real estate.""
Grant grabbed Rebecca’s arm. ""You set me up! You and Allison ambushed me!""
The private security guard immediately stepped between them, his hand resting firmly on the holster of his taser. ""Step back, sir. Keep your hands to yourself.""
""You set yourself up, Grant,"" Allison said, her eyes meeting his with unyielding clarity. ""You thought I was stupid because I didn't care about designer labels or country club gossip. You thought because I didn't scream when Patricia insulted my mother at Christmas dinner, I was weak. But I was patient. I loved you once, Grant. I really did. I was willing to let your mother play lady of the manor because I thought you were working hard to build a life with me.""
She took another step closer, lowering her voice so only Grant and his mother could hear.
""Then I saw the wire transfers to Savannah Blake. I saw the lease for the penthouse on 14th Street signed in Monroe Commercial’s name. I saw the receipts for the Cartier diamond tennis bracelet you bought her while you told me we had to tighten our budget because the economy was slow. You didn't just betray our marriage, Grant. You used money from our joint household fund to finance your mistress, while your mother treated me like an unpaid maid in my own house.""
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Patricia’s eyes narrowed into slits of venomous fury. ""Savannah comes from a real family! A family with class! She doesn't keep sordid secrets like some conniving hillbilly with an inheritance!""
""Then I suggest Savannah has a very large guest room,"" Allison said with a cool smile. ""Because by sundown, that’s the only place you and your son will be sleeping.""
