Chapter 7 - THE PAPERS
Ethan denied preparing divorce papers.
Technically true.
He had consulted a lawyer.
A draft separation proposal existed.
Not filed.
Not signed.
The consultation occurred two months before the gala.
Why did he not tell Claire?
He said he was confused.
He loved Vanessa.
Loved Claire.
Wanted time.
The draft proposed:
sale of the marital condo,
division of savings,
temporary support,
and confidentiality around business relationships.
Nothing outrageous.
Then Claire noticed one clause.
Mutual non-disparagement concerning professional contacts and client relationships.
Standard enough.
But Ethan had asked the lawyer a specific question:
Can spouse contact client family members about undisclosed vendor conflict?
His lawyer answered:
I cannot advise you to conceal a compliance issue. If one exists, disclose it through proper company channels.
Ethan never did.
He was anticipating exposure.
Then another question:
If separation occurs before annual contract renewal, can personal conflict affect vendor status?
Again:
Company issue, not marital.
Claire stared.
The affair and business conflict had become entangled in Ethan’s planning.
He did not create a fraudulent divorce scheme.
He simply wanted personal separation without professional consequences.
Then Vanessa’s messages showed she wanted more.
Vanessa:
Once Claire is gone, you won’t have to pretend around the Hales.
Ethan:
Do not involve her family.
Vanessa:
You already involved them when you brought me into their hotels.
Ethan:
That was business.
Vanessa:
Sure.
Vanessa understood the contradiction better than he did.
Then Ryan discovered the biggest conflict.
Ethan sat on an internal committee reviewing renewal of Grant Event Strategies.
He did not vote.
But he attended.
Policy required disclosure of:
close personal,
financial,
or romantic relationships with vendors.
He disclosed nothing.
Rebecca Sloan, his CEO, called Claire.
“I need you to know this before it becomes gossip.”
Ethan had been suspended pending investigation.
May you like
Not fired.
Yet.
