Chapter 5 - The File in the Locked Office
Grace had spent the next hour tracing the hidden agreement.
It led to a private office used by Harper Holdings.
Caroline had no idea that the company kept a secondary archive beneath its main headquarters.
She only knew that Grace had found a reference to a sealed file.
At 10:14 p.m., Grace called.
“I found the agreement.”
Caroline stepped away from the reception.
“What does it say?”
“I don't want to discuss this over the phone.”
“Grace.”
“There are several provisions.”
“About me?”
“Yes.”
“Tell me.”
Grace hesitated.
“Michael planned for the marriage to change control over several assets.”
Caroline closed her eyes.
“Which assets?”
“Your apartment.”
“My investments?”
“Yes.”
“My business?”
“Possibly.”
Caroline felt dizzy.
“Why would he need to marry me to do that?”
“Because the agreement contains a marital control clause.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means he intended to use the marriage itself as part of the transfer.”
Caroline looked across the ballroom.
Michael was laughing with his friends.
He looked relaxed again.
Almost victorious.
She felt something inside her harden.
“What else?”
“There is a section I don't understand.”
“What section?”
“A declaration.”
“About what?”
“Your financial history.”
Caroline frowned.
“What about it?”
“It claims you entered the marriage with concealed liabilities.”
Caroline stared.
“That is a lie.”
“I know.”
“Then why would he put that in the agreement?”
“I don't know.”
Grace paused.
“But there's more.”
Caroline waited.
“The document references evidence.”
“What evidence?”
“A recording.”
Caroline's breath stopped.
“A recording of what?”
“I'm not sure.”
“Who recorded it?”
“I don't know.”
“Grace.”
“I'll find out.”
Caroline looked at Michael.
He was still laughing.
Suddenly she understood something.
The apartment was only the surface.
Michael had been building a story about her.
A story in which she was irresponsible.
A story in which she was financially unstable.
A story in which he was the responsible husband rescuing her.
And if he could prove that story…
He could make his actions appear reasonable.
Caroline whispered:
“He's trying to destroy my credibility.”
May you like
Grace replied:
“Then we need to make sure the truth gets there first.”
