Chapter 6 - The Emblem Harrison Recognized
As the divorce continued, Harrison’s financial problems multiplied.
Without special access to Aurelia’s network, Wescott Design Group had to compete for projects like every other firm.
Some contracts continued.
Others ended naturally.
New invitations slowed.
Harrison blamed the economy, his employees, the banks, and eventually me.
“You have been speaking to my clients,” he accused during a custody exchange.
“No.”
“Then why are they disappearing?”
“Perhaps you should ask them.”
“I built that company through relationships.”
“You did.”
He waited for me to say more.
I did not.
The truth was more complicated than either praise or accusation.
Harrison had talent. I had never fabricated that.
But talent had opened only some doors.
Aurelia had opened the rest.
He had mistaken access for power and support for personal superiority.
One afternoon, Harrison’s chief operating officer called me.
Her name was Maya Chen, and she had worked at the firm for six years.
“I’m sorry to contact you,” she said. “Harrison says you are responsible for the Meridian loan rejection.”
“Why would I be responsible?”
“He claims you know someone at the bank.”
“I know many people.”
Maya paused.
“The company is in trouble. He expanded too quickly. We signed leases and hired staff based on projects that were never confirmed.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Is there anything you can do?”
Her question hurt because innocent employees would suffer from Harrison’s decisions.
I could have ordered Meridian to rescue the company.
I could have arranged another contract.
That was what the old version of me would have done.
Instead, I asked Maya to send me the firm’s public financial information.
Aurelia’s investment team reviewed it independently.
Their conclusion was clear.
Wescott Design Group could survive, but only if Harrison abandoned the expansion, sold unnecessary assets, and accepted outside management.
Through an intermediary, Aurelia Capital offered to purchase a minority stake and protect the company’s employees.
Harrison received the proposal without knowing I had authorized it.
He rejected it.
The documents carried Aurelia’s rising-sun emblem.
He called the offer insulting.
“I will not give strangers control of my company.”
Two months later, he returned to the same proposal and asked for better terms.
By then, the risk had increased.
The revised offer required stronger oversight.
He rejected it again.
Patricia encouraged him.
“The Wescotts do not surrender.”
The Wescotts also did not make payroll on time.
Harrison sold his vacation property and two luxury vehicles.
He asked Patricia to reduce her spending.
She ignored him.
During the final month of the divorce, her card statements included more than one hundred thousand dollars in personal purchases.
Rebecca advised me to cancel the card immediately.
I refused.
“Not until the decree is signed.”
“Why?”
“Because Harrison will claim I am using finances to pressure him.”
“You are remarkably disciplined.”
“No. I am tired.”
The final hearing was scheduled for a Tuesday morning.
The night before, Harrison called me.
For the first time in months, he sounded uncertain instead of angry.
“Was any of it real?”
“What do you mean?”
“Our marriage.”
“Yes.”
“Then why are you so calm?”
“Because I spent years trying to save something you were quietly preparing to leave.”
He was silent.
“I was afraid,” he finally said.
“Of what?”
“That you did not need me.”
I looked toward Emma’s room. She was asleep with the hallway light shining through her open door.
“You decided to punish me because you were afraid I might be strong.”
“I didn’t know who you were anymore.”
“You never tried to know.”
He exhaled.
“My mother says you have someone funding this legal fight.”
“Your mother believes money can only come from a man.”
“Who is behind Aurelia?”
The question arrived so suddenly that I almost answered.
Instead, I said, “Why are you asking?”
“The company keeps appearing everywhere. My office lease. My contracts. The bank. The investment offer. Even my mother’s house.”
He had finally noticed the emblem.
“Aurelia is a large organization,” I said.
May you like
“Claire, are you involved with them?”
“I’ll see you in court tomorrow.”
