Part 4

I stepped into the hallway.

“You’re not going in.”

“She’s my daughter.”

“And you abandoned her while she was having symptoms of a medical emergency.”

His face tightened. “I made a mistake.”

“You made reservations.”

“Keep your voice down.”

I almost admired the arrogance.

Even now, he cared about appearances.

Vanessa stood twenty feet away, arms folded, clearly expecting Grant to fix everything.

He pointed at me.

“Turn the cards back on. Release the yacht. Then we’ll talk privately.”

Martin walked around the corner.

Grant stopped.

Martin handed him an envelope.

“What is this?”

“Divorce petition,” I said. “And notice of your immediate removal from the advisory board pending investigation.”

Vanessa took two slow steps backward.

Grant tore open the documents.

His face drained.

“You can’t do this.”

“I already did.”

He lowered his voice. “Evelyn, think carefully. Half of everything you own is mine.”

Martin answered before I could.

“No, Mr. Mercer. Much of Mrs. Mercer’s wealth predates the marriage and is held through separate entities and trusts. Your prenuptial agreement is unusually specific.”

Grant stared at me.

Apparently, he should have read both more carefully.

Then Claire arrived carrying a folder.

“The forensic review is complete enough for preliminary action.”

Grant’s eyes flicked toward her.

“What forensic review?”

I opened the folder.

“Four hundred thirty-seven thousand dollars in questionable reimbursements. False business descriptions. Unauthorized personal expenses. And three transfers routed through your consulting company.”

“That’s bullshit.”

“Then you’ll enjoy explaining it to auditors.”

Vanessa suddenly spoke.

“Grant told me the yacht was his.”

I looked at her.

“He tells people many things.”

She turned on him. “You said you owned Mercer Capital.”

Grant snapped, “Shut up.”

That was his final mistake.