Chapter 15 - Vivien’s Contract
Thomas opened the laptop taken from Vivien.
Inside was a hidden folder labeled PERSONAL ARCHIVE.
It contained contracts, messages, and recordings.
Vivien had preserved them as protection against Carter.
The earliest document was dated eighteen months before the affair became public.
Carter agreed to arrange the purchase of Vivien’s failing company.
In exchange, Vivien would help convince investors that Serena was mentally unfit to participate in family decisions.
The plan evolved.
Vivien began appearing at charity events beside Serena and deliberately provoking her.
She sent anonymous messages to gossip reporters describing Serena as jealous and unstable.
Carter encouraged her.
His messages were blunt.
If she reacts publicly, Dad will agree she should never receive voting power.
Another message read:
Once I control her trust, I’ll finalize the divorce.
Vivien replied:
And we announce us after the acquisition.
The affair had become real, but it began as a strategy.
Carter intended to destroy Serena’s credibility before she reached the age at which her trust authority automatically expanded.
He did not know Elaine’s emergency clause could activate sooner.
Serena read the messages in a private room behind the ballroom.
Nora stood beside her.
“Do you want to continue?”
“Yes.”
A draft medical letter claimed Serena suffered from severe anxiety and financial paranoia.
The physician’s signature was false.
A communications plan instructed employees to avoid discussing major decisions with her.
The separation agreement would have forced Serena to waive claims before receiving independent legal advice.
Charles sat across the table, visibly shaken.
“I saw him becoming arrogant,” he said. “I did not know this.”
“You did not want to know.”
He did not argue.
Outside, Carter demanded access to Serena.
She refused.
Vivien attempted to negotiate.
“I will testify against him,” she told the attorneys. “I have everything.”
“You participated,” Nora replied.
“I can explain.”
“You can explain to investigators.”
Vivien’s confidence collapsed.
She had believed the hidden files guaranteed Carter could never abandon her.
Instead, they proved she had helped organize the fraud.
Police financial-crimes investigators arrived before midnight.
Carter and Vivien were escorted through a side entrance for questioning.
Reporters gathered outside.
Serena left through the front doors.
She did not hide.
The cameras flashed across her blue gown.
One reporter shouted, “Are you taking control of the company?”
Serena stopped.
May you like
“I am protecting what my mother built.”
👉 Carter entered the gala expecting to announce Serena’s removal, but by sunrise he would discover that the board had removed him from every position he valued.
