Chapter 4 - THE AUDIT BEGINS
By 6:00 AM, the city of Detroit was waking up under a heavy grey sky.
I sat at the mahogany dining table in our penthouse overlooking the Detroit River, sipping black coffee.
Adrian emerged from the master bedroom at precisely 6:30 AM, freshly shaved, wearing a bespoke charcoal suit that cost more than most people make in a month.
He looked radiant with supreme confidence.
“Good morning, darling,” Adrian said smoothly, pressing a superficial kiss to the top of my head.
“You’re up early.”
“I couldn't sleep,” I replied evenly, keeping my eyes fixed on my ceramic cup.
“Thinking about Dad’s estate.”
Adrian’s expression softened into practiced sympathy.
“Ah, sweetheart, I know it’s hard.
Trust me, once today’s board meeting concludes and the Vale Harbor partnership is locked in, things are going to stabilize.
We’ll finally have breathing room.”
“You really believe the partnership will go through today?” I asked, looking up at him.
“Without a doubt,” Adrian smiled, straightening his cuffs in the mirror.
“The controlling shareholder’s approval is all we need.
And since the trust grants me—well, grants our household—full alignment with the board's vision, it’s basically a done deal.”
He assumed because we were married, my inheritance was effectively his.
He assumed my father’s life work was just another asset for him to leverage against his mounting corporate liabilities.
“Good luck today, Adrian,” I said quietly.
“You’re going to need it.”
He chuckled, mistaking my warning for wifely encouragement.
“Thanks, honey.
Don’t wait up tonight—we’re celebrating with the executive team.”
He grabbed his leather briefcase, kissed the air near my cheek, and hurried out the door.
The moment the front door clicked shut, my phone buzzed on the table.
An encrypted message from Margaret Sloan.
The preliminary financial audit of MorganWell is complete, Elise.
The numbers are worse than anticipated.
They aren't just in debt—they are actively insolvent.
If the Vale Harbor partnership doesn't go through today, MorganWell files for Chapter 11 by Friday.
I typed my reply with steady fingers.
May you like
Then make sure the board room is ready.
I’m coming in.
