Chapter 8 - CHARLOTTE'S VERSION
Charlotte retained separate counsel quickly.
Good decision.
She stopped sharing a lawyer with Gavin.
Then gave a fuller account.
She knew about the affair.
Obviously.
She knew Gavin intended divorce.
She knew he wanted Sabrina to sign quickly.
She did not know:
the house was Sabrina’s separate property,
the Aston Martin belonged to Sable Ridge,
or how much money Gavin had moved into ArcVista.
Charlotte said:
“He told me he was protecting his assets.”
Rachel asked during deposition:
“Which assets?”
“His firm interest.”
“Did you know marital money funded it?”
“No.”
“Did you ask?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because he told me it came from his bonus.”
That was partly true.
Part did.
Charlotte’s arrogance toward Sabrina came from a story Gavin fed her:
dependent wife,
no career,
living off Gavin,
jealous,
refusing reality.
Sabrina had deliberately kept Sable Ridge low-profile.
She consulted privately for three major clients.
Her annual income averaged $320,000.
Not Gavin’s $900,000 good year.
Still substantial.
Charlotte looked stunned when shown the tax returns.
“You worked?”
Sabrina almost laughed.
“I worked from the office downstairs.”
May you like
Charlotte had visited the house eight times.
Never asked what was behind the closed door.
