Chapter 2 - The Beneficiary
The beneficiary was Meridian Continuity Trust.
Claire had never heard of it.
Adrian recovered quickly.
“It is a standard key-person policy.”
“Then why wasn’t I told?”
“You approved corporate insurance.”
“I approved coverage for executives.”
“You are an executive.”
Claire stared at him.
She had built Whitmore Capital from the investment company her mother left behind. Adrian joined later, after their marriage, promising to modernize it.
Now he was using her own company language against her.
The lawyer, Samuel Reed, examined the agreement.
“Meridian is not owned by Whitmore Capital.”
Vanessa spoke for the first time.
“It is an independent risk vehicle.”
Samuel looked at her.
“You control it.”
The room went silent.
Vanessa’s name appeared in the trust schedule.
Adrian’s name appeared beside hers.
Together, they could authorize distributions.
Claire’s hand tightened around the envelope.
“If something happened to me tonight, you two would receive two hundred million dollars?”
Adrian lowered his voice.
“No one expected anything to happen.”
The attendant looked at the spilled champagne.
Claire followed her eyes.
Adrian noticed.
“You are listening to a server instead of your husband?”
The contempt in his voice was immediate.
Claire looked at the woman who had just protected her.
“What is your name?”
“Grace Ellis.”
Adrian laughed bitterly.
“She carries trays for a living.”
Grace met his gaze.
May you like
“No.”
“I carried evidence into a room where wealthy people refused to read it.”
