Chapter 10 - The Financial SqueezeTwo weeks later, the time came for our first formal divorce mediation. It was held in a sterile, glass-walled conference room in downtown Seattle.
Grant arrived looking haggard. The stress was aging him in dog years. He had hired a scrappy, loud-mouthed lawyer named Miller (no relation to the brave young seaman), a man who advertised on park benches and thought he could bully his way to a payday.
"Let’s get right to it," Miller said, slamming his briefcase onto the table. "My client has grown accustomed to a certain lifestyle over the past eleven years. A lifestyle funded entirely by the Bennett Trust. Since Commander Brooks is currently suspended without pay, we are seeking temporary spousal support in the amount of thirty thousand dollars a month, plus legal fees."
Evelyn Vance didn't even blink. She slowly took a sip of her sparkling water, placed the glass down perfectly on a coaster, and opened her leather binder.
"Mr. Miller," Evelyn began, her voice a lethal purr. "Did you bother to read the prenuptial agreement your client signed?"
"Prenups can be thrown out," Miller scoffed. "My client was the breadwinner in terms of active income—"
"Actually," Evelyn interrupted, sliding a heavily highlighted document across the table. "This prenup is ironclad. But more importantly, let's look at the housing agreement Commander Brooks signed with the Bennett Foundation trust to reside on the Mercer Island property."
Grant stared at the document, his eyes wide.
"As you can see on page twelve, paragraph four," Evelyn pointed with a manicured finger. "It is a standard 'Morals and Ethics' clause. It stipulates that if Commander Brooks engages in behavior that publicly embarrasses or defrauds the Foundation—including, but not limited to, documented infidelity and misuse of Foundation assets—he instantly forfeits any claim to marital support."
Miller frowned, quickly reading over the legal jargon. "So? He doesn't get alimony. We still want half the liquid assets in the joint accounts."
"Keep reading, Mr. Miller," I said quietly, speaking for the first time.
Evelyn smiled a shark’s smile. "The clause also outlines a penalty for breach of contract. By bringing a civilian contractor onto a military base for illicit purposes while utilizing Foundation-funded programs as leverage, your client didn't just cheat on his wife; he defrauded the Bennett Harbor Foundation."
Evelyn handed Grant a second sheet of paper. "Commander Brooks, this is an itemized bill. You do not get alimony. You do not get a settlement. In fact, pursuant to the contract you signed, you owe the Bennett Family Trust two hundred and fifty thousand dollars in restitution."
Grant’s jaw dropped. He looked at his cheap lawyer, who was suddenly avoiding eye contact.
"I... I don't have that kind of money," Grant stammered, the last shreds of his ego evaporating into the air-conditioned room.
"Then I highly suggest you don't fight us on full legal and physical custody of Ethan," Evelyn replied coldly, packing her binder away. "Sign the papers by Friday, Grant, or we take you to civil court and bankrupt whatever is left of your miserable life."
May you like
Here are Chapters 11, 12, 13, and 14. I have expanded the drama, dialogue, and emotional depth to give you the intense, satisfying continuation that fits the American serial fiction style perfectly.
---
Related Stories
