“And yourself.”
“And myself. Our family’s financial well-being is completely tied to the company. Jack holds fifty-one percent of the stock. My parents own roughly eight percent. I believe I even have three and a half percent in my own name, due to options that have vested.”
“Do you have any knowledge about the health or weakness of Cancura?” asked Mark. “Any reason to believe its fortunes will rise or fall in the near future?”
Holly caught her breath and hesitated. For years, she’d wondered how much of the buzz surrounding the Revelate came from its true potential and how much was wishful thinking on the part of Jack and his check-writing true believers. Jessica and her questions about Cancura had only intensified her suspicions.
Instead of admitting her concerns, she asked, “I presume there are laws about hiding assets from a spouse in a divorce?”
“Of course,” said Francesco.
“At what point is a person’s net worth determined for the purposes of a divorce? Would it be the moment a divorce petition is filed?”
“Well, hypothetically, let’s say you file for divorce and his sole asset is ten thousand shares of Cancura stock. We would argue in mediation, and in court, if necessary, that five thousand of those belong to you. And we would probably win. But you get the stock, whatever it’s worth when we sign, not its original value. So it could be more or it could be less.”
“I see,” said Holly.
“A savvy operator might even manipulate the value of his own stock,” said Mark. “If you’re concerned he may hide money, then it’s important that we document as much as possible before filing papers. That could include hiring a forensic accountant to determine as much as possible about his assets based on public filings.”
“We’re getting ahead of ourselves here, and we need to better understand where Holly is coming from,” said Francesco gently but firmly. “Holly, as simply as you can, tell us why you’re seeking a divorce from Jack.”
While the men nodded and scribbled, she told them everything she knew and everything she suspected about Jack’s infidelities, saving the showstopper for last. Both men raised their eyebrows when she told them about the apartment Jack shared with Jessica. And when she added that he’d married his new girlfriend in Mexico, Mark was unable to suppress a “Damn!”
Francesco gave him an almost imperceptible frown.
“Sorry,” added Mark.
“Bigamy is a Class Four felony in Illinois,” explained Francesco. “If we’re looking at a criminal proceeding—that is, if he’s charged and convicted—that will have a favorable impact on your divorce suit. While creating more hardship for your family, of course.”
Holly couldn’t help picturing Jack in an orange jumpsuit. Behind bars. At a long metal table with Ava, Paige, and Logan on the opposite side.
“Would he go to jail?”
“Illinois requires a minimum of one year in prison and no more than three.”
Holly’s head began to throb exactly as it had after being kicked by Wags.
“What about Jessica?” she asked. “Does she have any claim on his property?”
“If she was truly unaware he was already married, she is legally entitled to all the rights of a legal spouse, including maintenance. Practically speaking, though, you don’t have much to worry about in divorce court. And the marriage is easily invalidated.”
“What do we do now?” Holly asked, her voice faint to her own ears.
“We have to move cautiously, for sure,” said Mark, while Francesco nodded soberly. “Your husband is a public figure. The moment any of this gets out, there’s going to be a media circus, so we need an airtight case and a detailed plan of attack.”
“Would this Jessica Meyers be willing to provide an affidavit or testify if we go to trial?” asked Francesco.
“I don’t know,” said Holly.
“Do you have documentation regarding this second marriage, or infidelities with other women?”
She shook her head, then realized she felt unsteady in her chair, like she had vertigo.
“Are you feeling all right?” asked Francesco.
“I just need a moment. A drink of water and to splash some water on my face.”
Solicitously, Francesco directed her to the ladies’ room while Mark headed out for some bottled water. In the restroom, Holly sat down on a padded bench and collected herself.
She’d walked in feeling strong and ready to end her marriage and secure her family’s future, wanting only to minimize the trauma for her children. It hadn’t even crossed her mind how public the process could be for all of them. The thought was almost paralyzing.
Did she really want to send her children’s father to prison?
Leaning back against the wall, hearing voices passing in the hall, Holly closed her eyes and realized she needed to stop thinking of Jack as her husband and start thinking of him as a partner in a failed long-term venture. And what would he do in that situation if the roles were reversed? Jack had never had an ounce of sentiment about business. He would coolly do whatever was best for his enterprise and move on.
Her panic passed as she realized she would do exactly the same thing.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
JESSICA AND HOLLY
No secret is ever truly safe.
—“How I Lied about My Name and Discovered My Truth,” a TED Talk by Jon M. Wright
Catfished? Gaslighted? What was the word for being taken in by a brilliant, handsome, wildly successful man who had not only swept her off her feet but moved her across the country, gave her a job to die for, and then married her—despite already being married himself?
Other than screwed.
And how had Jessica, the girl who aced every test and made all the right choices, fallen head over heels for it?
Two and a half days after she left Barrington Hills, Jessica was still in bed, unable to focus on the blabbering TV and getting up only to go to the bathroom or refill
