“Entirely.”
One of the security officers stepped forward politely.
“Sir, Ma’am, we’re here to protect the property and assist Mrs. Vance with any transition she requests.”
Julian suddenly pointed at me.
“This is impossible.”
Mr. Harrison calmly handed him another document.
“Certified county records.”
Julian scanned the first page.
Then the second.
Then the third.
His hands began shaking.
“I…”
He looked at me as though he had never seen me before.
“You knew?”
I shook my head.
“I found out less than an hour ago.”
Maya squeezed my hand.
“Mom…”
I looked down.
“It’s okay, sweetheart.”
Julian suddenly forced a smile.
“Clara… let’s not make a scene in front of the kids.”
That sentence almost made me laugh.
A scene?
He had packed my belongings.
Introduced his mistress.
Served divorce papers.
And now he wanted dignity.
“No,” I said quietly.
“You already made the scene.”
Chloe finally spoke.
“This doesn’t change anything.”
Everyone looked at her.
She crossed her arms.
“So what if she owns the house? Julian and I are together now.”
Mr. Harrison smiled politely.
“It changes considerably.”
She frowned.
“What do you mean?”
He opened another folder.
“As majority owner of Vance Holdings, Mrs. Vance also becomes controlling shareholder of Sterling Consulting Group effective immediately.”
Julian’s face lost every remaining trace of color.
“No…”
Mr. Harrison nodded.
“I’m afraid so.”
I frowned.
“What company?”
“The consulting firm your husband operates.”
I blinked.
“What?”
Julian stepped forward.
“Don’t.”
But it was too late.
Mr. Harrison looked at me.
“When your aunt provided the startup capital eleven years ago, she did so through Vance Holdings.”
He handed me another document.
“The investment agreement granted Vance Holdings seventy percent ownership.”
I stared at the signature.
Mine.
Or rather…
The signature Julian had convinced me to place on papers he called tax documents years earlier.
My stomach twisted.
“I never knew.”
Mr. Harrison nodded gently.
“We’re aware.”
Julian rubbed both hands over his face.
“Clara… listen…”
