Chapter 7 - The Malibu House
Investigators followed the money around the Malibu property.
Vanessa and Julian had signed a letter of intent.
Deposit:
$500,000.
Source:
An account indirectly funded by Arthur.
Arthur stared at the bank flow.
“They used my money to reserve the house they planned to live in after I died.”
Margaret nodded.
“Technically, the money passed through three entities first.”
“Romantic.”
Then Ross found emails.
Vanessa:
Arthur won’t make it through the month.
Julian:
Don’t rush. We only need the estate certificate.
Vanessa:
I’m done waiting.
Arthur stopped reading.
He had spent years believing Vanessa hated discussions about death because she loved him too much.
She hated waiting because delay affected closing schedules.
That hurt in a surprisingly mundane way.
Then came another email.
Julian:
Once Vance Living is liquid enough, we can dispose of Chicago.
Chicago.
Not a property.
Arthur’s life.
His company.
His home.
His history.
They planned to sell major company divisions after inheriting control.
Thousands of employees.
Factories.
Design studios.
Vanessa had told Arthur she loved the company because it represented everything he built.
She planned to dismantle it within a year.
That changed Arthur’s priorities.
Revenge became less personal.
He asked Margaret:
“What happens if I die tomorrow?”
“The employee trust now controls your voting block.”
“Can Vanessa force a sale?”
“No.”
“Good.”
“What about the homes?”
“Your lake property is in trust.”
“Chicago residence is marital.”
“Malibu?”
“Not yours.”
Arthur smiled.
“Apparently it almost was.”
Then Margaret asked:
“What do you want Vanessa to receive if no criminal charges are proven?”
Arthur thought.
He could cut her to the legal minimum.
Fight for every painting.
Every car.
Every account.
But a strange calm had settled over him.
“Her personal property.”
“Anything she brought into the marriage.”
“A reasonable settlement if legally required.”
Margaret stared.
“That’s it?”
“Yes.”
“You’re not going after her jewelry?”
“No.”
“Some pieces cost seven figures.”
“She can wear them while explaining where Julian went.”
Margaret laughed despite herself.
Arthur’s revenge was changing.
At first, he wanted Vanessa to lose everything.
Now he wanted something more precise.
May you like
He wanted her to keep exactly what was truly hers.
And lose everything she had counted before owning.
