Chapter 6 - The Woman Who Had Already Won"Corinne knew about the forged signatures months ago."
"Then why didn't she confront me?"
"Because, Grant, she wanted to know whether you would tell her the truth without being forced."
Evelyn Shaw sat across from me in her downtown office at eight the following morning.
I hadn't slept.
My shirt was wrinkled.
My eyes burned.
The woman who had handled my company's legal affairs for eight years watched me with professional restraint.
But there was something else in her expression.
Disappointment.
I was beginning to recognize it everywhere.
"You met with Corinne?" I asked.
"She consulted me about concerns involving your business documents. I explained that I could not advise her personally because I represented your company."
"Did you tell her what you knew?"
"I told her she needed independent counsel."
"Who is representing her?"
"That's not information I'm authorized to provide."
I leaned forward.
"Evelyn, someone is following my wife and child."
Her expression changed.
"Have you reported that?"
"Victor has spoken to investigators."
"Then you need to provide them with anything you've received."
"I will."
She folded her hands.
"Grant, there are things you need to understand before we go further."
I waited.
"Corinne has already initiated proceedings to protect her trust assets."
"What kind of proceedings?"
"Her attorneys filed for emergency financial relief and requested an accounting of the disputed transactions. They are also pursuing civil claims against individuals and entities involved."
"Can she freeze my company?"
"Certain accounts and assets may be subject to court orders if the evidence supports relief."
I stared at her.
"That could destroy us."
"Your company may already be facing serious financial trouble."
I rubbed my face.
"What about the house?"
"That depends on ownership, debts, and any applicable orders."
"Corinne can't just take everything."
Evelyn's expression hardened.
"Grant, stop thinking about this as something your wife is taking from you."
I looked up.
"You signed her name without authorization."
I said nothing.
"You used assets belonging to her trust to support business investments."
"Temporarily."
"That doesn't make it permissible."
"I intended to repay the money."
"Intent matters, but it doesn't erase what you did."
I looked away.
For years, I had surrounded myself with people who told me what I wanted to hear.
Marcus praised my instincts.
Tessa admired my confidence.
Investors celebrated my ambition.
Even Corinne had once reassured me when deals became difficult.
But Evelyn was no longer comforting me.
She was telling me the truth.
And I hated how much I needed to hear it.
"Can you help me?" I asked.
"I can help coordinate the company's preservation of records and its response to lawful requests. But because your individual interests may conflict with the company's, you need separate counsel."
She passed me the card of a criminal defense attorney named Nathan Price.
"Call him today."
I picked up the card.
"What about Corinne?"
Evelyn studied me.
"What about her?"
"I need to speak with her."
"Then communicate through her attorney when you have that information."
"She's my wife."
"That doesn't give you the right to ignore her boundaries."
I looked down.
For the first time, I wondered how many times Corinne had tried to establish boundaries I simply stepped over.
Her requests had always seemed small.
Come home before dinner.
Don't miss the ultrasound.
Please answer when I call.
Can we spend one weekend together without your phone?
I had treated those requests like inconveniences.
Now I would have given anything to hear her ask one again.
Before leaving, I showed Evelyn the messages Marcus had sent.
Her face grew serious.
"Forward these to your independent attorney and the investigators."
"Do you think Marcus intends to hurt her?"
"I won't speculate. But a threat involving a child should be taken seriously."
I stood.
Then I remembered something.
"The Rivergate residents have a blue folder. Corinne asked them to deliver it to you."
Evelyn's eyes sharpened.
"To me?"
"Yes."
"Did you take it?"
"No."
She looked relieved.
"Good."
"Why?"
"Because if Corinne arranged for evidence to be delivered through a specific process, you should not interfere."
I reached the door.
"Grant," Evelyn said.
I turned.
"There's something I think you need to hear."
"What?"
"Corinne once told me she didn't want to destroy you."
I swallowed.
"She said that?"
"Yes."
I felt a brief, foolish surge of hope.
Then Evelyn continued.
"She said she wanted you to stop destroying other people."
I left the office feeling older than I had when I entered.
Outside, my phone rang.
It was Mrs. Pearl.
"Mr. Keaton?"
"Yes?"
Her voice trembled.
"Someone came to the house."
"Who?"
"A man who said he worked for the company."
"What did he want?"
"He was asking about Mrs. Keaton's things."
I stopped walking.
"What things?"
"Her computer. Her medical records. The baby's birth certificate."
My blood turned cold.
"Where is he now?"
There was a pause.
Then Mrs. Pearl whispered:
"He's still here."
"Call the police."
"I already did."
I started toward my car.
Then she said something that made me freeze.
"Mr. Keaton, he told me you sent him."
"I didn't."
"I know."
Her breathing sounded uneven.
"Because he showed me a written authorization."
"What authorization?"
"One with your signature."
I reached my car.
"Mrs. Pearl, don't let him take anything."
"I won't."
Suddenly, I heard a loud crash.
May you like
Then the sound of Mrs. Pearl gasping.
And the phone went dead.
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