Chapter 5 - PRESTON HAD A PLAN FOR THE DIVORCE
The affair was not Preston’s only secret.
He had been preparing for divorce for months.
Not filing.
Preparing.
An external attorney in San Diego had drafted a strategy memo.
Samuel obtained it through lawful corporate discovery after finding that Whitaker funds paid the retainer.
The memo discussed:
executive compensation claims,
valuation of Preston’s “contribution” to Whitaker Development,
possible arguments that certain trust-supported lifestyle assets had become marital property,
and leverage created by moving management functions into a new California subsidiary.
Evelyn read every page.
“Can he do this?”
Samuel answered:
“He can argue anything.”
“Can he win?”
“Some pieces are nonsense. Some are not.”
That was not the comforting answer.
It was the useful one.
Preston had helped grow the company.
He had legitimate compensation rights.
Some marital assets were jointly owned.
The divorce would not be a fantasy where Evelyn snapped her fingers and erased him.
But one paragraph mattered more than the rest.
If EWR reacts publicly to relationship disclosure, consider immediate board narrative: instability, emotional interference in management, shareholder overreach.
EWR.
Evelyn Whitaker Rhodes.
He had anticipated her reaction.
The fake wedding photo was not just Brooke being smug.
Preston knew she might send it.
He may even have wanted her to.
If Evelyn exploded publicly, froze everything recklessly, or interfered with legitimate operations, he could use her reaction to strengthen his position.
Samuel looked at her.
“Your restraint matters now.”
May you like
Evelyn folded the memo.
“Then we make him regret underestimating it.”
