Chapter 10 - THE BALLROOM AFTERMATH
Adrienne advised Claire not to make legal declarations to the guests.
Two hundred witnesses had seen humiliation.
They had not seen the emails.
They did not know the LLC plan.
Their presence could support what happened publicly.
Nothing more.
Claire changed into a plain ivory reception dress.
Then returned to the ballroom.
That surprised everyone.
Derek was waiting near the cake.
Patricia beside him.
Adrienne stood with Claire.
Lena held the envelope.
Claire spoke only to Derek.
“The reception is over for us.”
He stared.
“You’re walking out of our wedding?”
“Yes.”
“You’re my wife.”
“That is not ownership.”
Patricia interrupted:
“You are ruining your own marriage over a joke.”
Claire looked at her.
“No.”
Then:
“I’m reacting to a pattern I documented before today.”
Derek’s face changed.
“What pattern?”
Claire held up the recorder.
He realized.
“You recorded me?”
“Yes.”
“That’s insane.”
“Maybe.”
Adrienne stepped forward.
“Any further legal conversation goes through counsel.”
Derek laughed.
“Legal conversation? We’ve been married three hours.”
May you like
Adrienne answered:
“That is enough time to need a lawyer.”
