Back in the room, the negotiations turned brutal. Abigail laid out dates, contracts, transfers, incriminating emails — including proof Joshua had used corporate expense accounts for trips with Cheyenne, a detail guaranteed to trigger a firm-wide audit.
Frank abandoned any defense and moved straight to damage control.
“If this reaches a judge, we’ll pursue full asset protection, a forensic audit, and immediate restitution of the child’s trust,” Abigail said.
The mediator looked at Joshua with open disapproval.
“Hiding marital assets is serious enough,” the mediator said coldly. “Misusing a minor’s trust fund makes this far worse.”
Joshua looked at Gretchen as if hoping she’d soften things, the way she always had.
This time she didn’t move.
Hours later, the agreement was rewritten completely. Joshua agreed to restore every dollar to the trust, surrender a much larger share of assets, cover the audit costs, and open his accounts to inspection. He lost the right to sell the house without her sign-off.
His hand shook as he signed.
He’d spent months engineering things so she’d sign quietly. Instead, he was the one bound by terms he no longer controlled.
Outside, Cheyenne was still waiting by the elevators, no longer composed, gripping her phone.
