Chapter 3

Edward started to come around on the third day.

To be exact, that was when he began showing signs of consciousness, his eyes tracking the light, his fingers barely moving, but he still couldn't say a word.

There was still a tube down his throat, and the pressure in his skull hadn't dropped enough. The doctors said he'd be under observation for at least another week.

Alexis wouldn't leave his side, Sophie kept bringing her meals, and I handled everything with the doctors, every treatment plan, every detail.

I signed all the form.

Since I was his legal wife, I had the ultimate authority over his medical decisions.

That mattered. Until Edward could talk again, every single choice about his life was up to me.

Richard arrived bright and early the next morning.

We met at a café right next to the hospital.

Richard Stone, fifty-three, had worked in divorce and property law for twenty-eight years. Among lawyers, they called him the "Bomb Disposal Expert."

When I first went to him three years ago, he went through my situation and said, "Ms. Bennett, you're the most prepared client I've ever seen."

I sent him a photo of Chloe White's will, and he put on his reading glasses, studying it for three minutes.

"The format checks out, and the notarization looks solid," Richard said, handing my phone back. "But there's a loophole."

"What kind of loophole?" I asked.

He said, "The will claims to cover everything under Edward's name. But for the stuff you two own together after getting married, he can only decide what happens to his half.

"If the will tries to give away your share too, that part doesn't count."

"I know," I replied. "But some of the assets under Edward's name were acquired before we got married, and he has full authority to dispose of those however he wants."

"So we need to do a full asset inventory," Richard said, flipping open his notebook. "We have to make a clear distinction between his pre-marital and marital assets. You've already started on this, right?"

"Yes, but it's not complete. Some accounts are off-limits to me," I said.

"Things are different now," he said, looking at me. "While Edward is incapacitated, as his spouse, you can apply for financial guardianship. Once the court approves it, you'll have access to all his bank records, investment accounts, and property information."

I took a sip of my coffee.

"How long will it take to get approved?" I asked.

"If things go smoothly, maybe a week. If not, two weeks. I'll start preparing the paperwork today," he replied.

"Okay," I said.

Richard closed his notebook, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Ms. Bennett, there's one more thing I'd like to confirm."

"Go ahead," I said.

"So, what are you aiming for right now? Are you planning to get a divorce and divide the assets, or do you want to try and save the marriage?" he asked.

I set my cup down and thought for a moment.

"Richard, if he ends up paralyzed from the waist down and can't walk, do you think it's more advantageous for me to divorce him or stay married?" I asked.

He understood instantly.

He explained, "Staying married is better for you. If he's paralyzed and loses his ability to work, you'll have financial guardianship as his spouse.

"If you divorce, you lose that guardianship, and Chloe, as the child's guardian, might try to claim it, if the paternity is confirmed."

"So, for now, I won't file for divorce," I said.

"Understood," he replied.

We talked over the details for another twenty minutes before going our separate ways.

When I got back to the hospital, I saw someone standing in the hallway.

It was Edward's assistant, Michael Carter.

He'd been with Edward since he founded the company, and except for Edward himself, no one understood how things worked behind the scenes better than Michael.

When he saw me, Michael hesitated for a second, almost calling me "Mrs. Grant," then switched. "Ms. Bennett, there are some things at the company that need your decision."

I shot him a look. "Just call me Olivia. So, what's going on?" I said, trying to keep things casual.

He said, "After Mr. Grant's accident, the mining project partners have been calling nonstop, wanting to know who's going to take over.

"And there's a board meeting next week, by company policy, if Mr. Grant can't make it, we need to name a proxy."

"Who's the proxy?" I asked.

"By company policy, you're the designated proxy," Michael replied.

I paused for a moment.

Edward had listed me as the primary proxy in the company's articles of association. I knew about it, and it was written three years ago, and he never bothered to update it.

Had he forgotten to change it, or had he left it that way on purpose?

It didn't matter, because it was useful either way.

"When's the board meeting?" I asked.

"Next Wednesday," Michael replied.

"Send me the files once you've got them together. I'll let you know after I review them," I said.

Michael nodded, then lowered his voice. "Ms. Bennett, Chloe showed up again today, causing a scene in the lobby. She complained that the hospital wouldn't let her into the ICU to visit, and threatened to file a complaint. Security had to escort her out."

I responded with a quiet nod.

"She also said," Michael hesitated, "that she'd get the media involved, claiming The Grant Family won't recognize Mr. Grant's child."

I stopped and turned to look at him.

"Michael, how long have you been working for Edward?" I asked.

"Seven years," he replied.

"Do you know Chloe?" I asked.

He pressed his lips together and nodded. "Yeah, I know her. Mr. Grant asked me to handle a few things for her."

"Like what?" I asked.

"Booking flights, hotels, buying stuff. And sending her money every month," he replied.

I looked him in the eye. "Did you know about the will?"

He shook his head, this time with absolute certainty. "I had absolutely no idea about the will. Mr. Grant never said a word to me about it."

"Alright," I said, looked away and kept walking. "When you get back today, make a detailed list of everything you've handled for Chloe. Dates, amounts in dollars, and specifics. The more thorough, the better."

Michael followed behind me, his voice a little tense. "Ms. Bennett, I was just following Mr. Grant's instructions. I—"

"I know," I said. "I'm not blaming you. But from now on, you need to make a clear choice about who you stand with."

He didn't say anything else.

I walked up to the ICU door and glanced inside through the glass.

Edward's eyes were open, staring blankly at the ceiling. I couldn't tell if he even knew I was there.

My phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number.

[Ms. Bennett, this is Simon Reed. Ms. White would like to discuss the will with you. Are you available to meet?]

I stared at the message, not replying right away.

There it was again.

The first time, she made a dramatic entrance, brandishing the will like a weapon. Now she was trying to play it straight, setting up meetings, negotiating, sending legal notices.

She was getting clever, but still not clever enough.

I unlocked my phone and sent a reply.

[Next Monday, my attorney will contact you. You two handle the specifics. I'm not available for a private meeting with Ms. White.]

After sending it, I locked my phone.

No hurry.

The guardianship application would take about a week. Before that, I needed a full inventory of all of Edward's assets.

Once I had that list, Chloe's will would be completely worthless.

I knew every dollar Edward had, where it was, and how it was invested, better than she ever would.

She had no clue.

All she knew was what Edward had told her.

Having the upper hand in information was always the sharpest weapon.