“I don’t want you as my friend, Zander.I want you to speak to me with respect.If you can’t do that, perhaps another partner at your firm should take over.”
No fucking way.News that I stepped aside and wasn’t able to complete thiscasewould be all over the New York Times an hour after it was made official.
“That won’t be necessary.”I reply roughly, my teeth grinding against one another.“This is my company.If you’re uncomfortable with the process, then perhaps it would be better to settle with your husband and accept what he’s offering.”
Courtney blinks.“He’s not offering anything.”
Exactly.
So, suck it up, buttercup, because you’re at the big boys' table now.
I prop my hands on my hips and nod knowingly at her.I see the moment figures it out.
Her hand flings out.“He can’t just make wild claims that aren’t true.”
“He can.”
“Then...then...”She presses her lips together.
There it is.The lie she is keeping from me.All evening I’ve been waiting for her to break.I’ve been doing this long enough to know it’s only a matter of time.
They all confess sooner or later.
“Then...this is why I hired you.I won’t lie.I won’t do what Adam is doing.He didn’t ask me to sign a prenuptial contract, so legally I am entitled to fifty percent.”
Not quite.
Technically yes, but people are surprised by what blackmail can achieve.The court of public opinion and all that.Her reputation is on the line already with his recent post, and she’s been talked about on podcasts.
“I don’t care what they are saying.”
“You do.”
“Fine, it hurts, but only because it’s not true.”
“New York divorce is governed by what we call equitable distribution laws.”
“I know that.”
“Then you know each spouse is due a fair and equitable share of the marital property.”
Her eyes dart around the room, indicating she’s uncomfortable discussing this.Is it guilt because it’s his money he earned?
I’ll be honest, her discomfort surprises me.
“What does fair mean?”
“A fifty-fifty split, but it can vary depending on each partnership if both parties agree.In your case, you never worked nor had children—”
“No, I didn’t.”Courtney snaps and reaches for her bag.“Clearly I made no contribution to the marriage, which is something my husband has pointed out a number of times in the past year, but not all is as it seems...”
She swallows and visibly decides to not say anything further.Then reaches out her hand and, while my brows are still midway up my forehead, I shake it.
Then stand, a little bewildered, sliding my hands into my pockets, and watch her stride across the room.
“Good night,” she says at the doorway.
Christ.
