Chapter 4 - AURELIA HOUSE
Aurelia House existed.
At least on paper.
Vanessa had incorporated the company eight months earlier.
Luxury wellness retreats.
Executive recovery weekends.
Private nutrition programs.
Golf-and-health packages for wealthy professionals.
The concept was not illegal.
Not even ridiculous.
Several investors were interested.
The problem was how Vanessa had presented it.
Aurelia House marketing decks referred to:
Whitmore-backed hospitality capital.
David stared at the phrase.
“I never backed this.”
Marcus nodded.
“Not formally.”
“Did she use my name?”
“Yes.”
His family name.
His reputation.
His network.
Not a forged signature.
More subtle.
Vanessa introduced herself at the club as:
“David Parker’s wife.”
Then:
“Our family is launching a new retreat concept.”
Then:
“We’re evaluating a flagship property.”
People heard:
David is involved.
Vanessa rarely corrected them.
The flagship property was Margaret’s lake cottage.
A seven-acre property on Lake Geneva that Margaret owned outright.
Not David.
Not Vanessa.
Margaret.
David called his mother from the corridor.
“Did Vanessa ask about the lake house?”
Margaret went quiet.
“When?”
“She wants to use it.”
Long pause.
Then Margaret said:
“She wants me to sell it.”
David felt cold.
“How long has this been going on?”
“Months.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Margaret looked away.
“Because every time I complained about your wife, you told me to give her a chance.”
May you like
That answer hurt.
And it was true.
