Chapter 14 - Paige leaves Dad’s defense
Paige did not leave the marriage immediately.
She left the legal team.
Her attorney notified Dad’s counsel:
Paige would no longer participate in any joint defense arrangement.
She wanted independent resolution of company-benefit issues.
Then she turned over:
Laptop.
Expense records.
Texts.
A box of receipts from Hayes Project Services.
That box helped Dad on some invoices.
It also hurt him badly on others.
One $96,000 remediation invoice.
Actual labor:
$33,400.
Equipment:
$9,800.
Permit/engineering:
$7,100.
Reasonable contracted markup:
About $6,000.
Total supported:
$56,300.
Not $96,000.
Dad had added:
Executive contingency reserve: $39,700
No agreement allowed that.
Where did reserve go?
Hayes Project Services operating account.
Then:
$18,000 payment to Paige’s credit card.
$11,500 tax payment.
$8,000 cash withdrawal.
Could be company owner distribution.
If underlying invoice was inflated, distribution became relevant.
Still not automatically theft beyond reasonable doubt.
Civil claim stronger.
Then Paige admitted Dad had told her:
“Owen never checks final numbers if the project stays on schedule.”
That sentence was ugly.
Then she disclosed the settlement packet.
Dad had told her:
“Once Natalie signs, the audit dies.”
There.
Intent behind release.
Then:
“Did Glenn expect Natalie to sign voluntarily?”
“I think he expected her to be overwhelmed.”
“Did he say threaten her?”
“No.”
“Did he say use force?”
“No.”
“Did you know he was going to pull her hair?”
“No.”
Important.
Paige was not converted into secret mastermind.
She had laughed.
Supported pressure.
Benefited from money.
But evidence did not show assault planning.
Then company lawyers offered Paige settlement regarding disputed personal benefits.
Return already-completed vehicle/laptop.
Repay $22,000 over eighteen months representing unsupported personal charges directly attributed to her benefit.
No admission she knew invoices were improper.
She negotiated:
$17,500.
Company accepted.
Why not sue for $55,000?
Litigation costs.
Proof issues.
She paid initial $5,000.
Payment plan.
Thread narrowing.
Then Paige filed for legal separation from Dad.
I learned because records became public.
I felt nothing.
Then guilt for feeling nothing.
Then relief at not feeling guilty.
My therapist said:
“You do not owe emotional participation in their marriage.”
Useful.
Then Dad texted me through a number not blocked.
You got what you wanted. Paige left.
Violation.
I screenshot.
Reported.
Protection-order judge warned him through counsel:
Further direct contact could produce consequences.
Dad’s lawyer apologized.
May you like
Dad did not.
That became relevant at sentencing later.
