Chapter 11 - Marcus changes lawyers
Bennett remained on the case for six more days.
Then Marcus replaced him.
Not because Bennett was incompetent.
Because Bennett had become part of the courtroom story.
Sanctioned for his conduct.
Publicly criticized.
Every hearing risked becoming about the kick.
Marcus hired Evelyn Price.
Fifty-two.
Precise.
Quiet.
No theatrical speeches.
Her first call to Claire:
“I want to separate the divorce from the criminal matter and get this resolved.”
Claire answered:
“So do we.”
Then Price made a smart move.
She conceded:
The “you’ll leave with nothing” language was indefensible.
The behavioral model was embarrassing.
Certain tracing was appropriate.
She did not concede:
Fraud.
Dissipation.
Active-appreciation amount.
LHM characterization.
Alder date.
Good lawyer.
She requested a structured mediation after Kessler’s next report.
Meanwhile Marcus visited Sophie under a temporary newborn parenting plan.
Short visits.
No overnight yet.
He had not hurt me physically.
The kick was Savannah’s.
His behavior in court mattered emotionally, but a family court does not remove a father because he was cruel to his wife in one moment.
Parenting evidence matters.
Marcus showed up.
Held Sophie carefully.
Learned bottles.
Changed diapers badly.
Did not mention Savannah.
Then he asked:
“Can Emily be there?”
Through parenting coordinator.
I said no.
Not yet.
He accepted.
That mattered.
Then Savannah was sentenced.
Four months local custody actually imposed, with an additional suspended term and two years probation.
No contact.
Medical restitution.
Treatment.
The judge said:
“The absence of permanent fetal injury does not make kicking a pregnant woman trivial.”
Good.
Savannah apologized.
“I was angry and cruel. Emily did not provoke me physically.”
Clear.
Then she looked at Marcus.
He did not look back.
Their relationship ended before she entered custody.
Her $15 million recommendation?
North Star’s independent distribution adviser suspended consideration.
Not because I ordered it.
Because circumstances changed and the trust instrument gave discretion.
Savannah sued? No.
She had no guaranteed entitlement.
She learned that painfully.
Then Vale Meridian board investigation.
Independent directors did not like the divorce model being mixed with executive-compensation restructuring.
But they cared about corporate harm, not my marriage.
Questions:
Were LHM fees fair?
Were related-party transactions properly approved?
Was North Star’s purchase of IP at fair value?
Was the penthouse arrangement disclosed?
Outside counsel found:
LHM services largely real.
Fee increase inadequately documented in part.
The IP sale had independent valuation support.
Penthouse arrangement had not been fully disclosed to conflict committee because Savannah’s status was not identified.
No evidence Vale Meridian lost tens of millions.
Governance failures.
Board required:
Related-party disclosure correction.
Independent review of LHM contract.
Recusal of Marcus from certain compensation votes.
No instant removal.
Yet.
Then Project Alder buyer requested updated representations about executive litigation.
Sale still moved.
Marcus’s attempt to rush divorce before it did not work.
May you like
Alder would probably close while we were still married legally.
That changed leverage.
