Chapter 7 - THE MAN WHO BET ON HER GRIEF
Selena finally opened the divorce papers that night.
Until then, she had not cared.
Now she read every page.
Corbin wanted speed.
Expedited financial disclosures.
Fast mediation.
Immediate separation of certain “professional interests.”
And one clause buried near the end:
Each party waives claims relating to business transactions entered into individually prior to the effective date of dissolution.
Malcolm circled it.
“That is unusual.”
Selena understood.
“If I sign, he’ll argue Aster Row and the Silver Arc agreements are his separate business matters.”
“Exactly.”
Corbin had not only chosen the funeral because he was cruel.
He chose the moment when Selena was most likely to sign anything placed in front of her simply to make it stop.
Grief as leverage.
That realization ended the last soft corner she still carried for him.
Not with rage.
With finality.
She called Tamara.
“I’m done.”
Tamara knew exactly what she meant.
“Good.”
“I still don’t want revenge.”
“Also good.”
“But I’m not protecting him from facts anymore.”
“Best thing you’ve said all week.”
The next morning, Selena’s attorneys responded.
No expedited signing.
Full financial disclosure.
Preservation of all business records.
Independent valuation of marital assets.
No special waiver.
Corbin called within twenty minutes.
“What are you doing?”
“Reading before signing.”
“You’re dragging this out.”
“I buried both my parents yesterday, Corbin.”
Silence.
For one second, shame might have reached him.
Then:
“Vivian and I have commitments.”
There it was.
His new life remained the priority.
Selena hung up.
Meanwhile, Vellum Crown’s audit expanded.
Aster Row had collected rights.
Vivian had collected fees.
Miles had signed undisclosed deals.
But the largest problem came from distribution.
Crown Meridian Distribution had advanced $11 million against foreign sales.
Only $6 million reached The Glass Monarch production accounts.
Where was the remaining five?
Aster Row received two.
Another company received three.
Vale Street Pictures.
Owner?
Dennis Harrow’s adult son.
Corbin’s divorce attorney’s family.
The network widened.
Then Blythe discovered something more dangerous.
The Glass Monarch itself was pledged as collateral for a private loan Aster Row had taken.
“What?”
Selena stared at the security agreement.
Corbin’s company had borrowed $15 million from Silver Arc Credit Partners.
Collateral included future participation rights connected to The Glass Monarch.
Rights Corbin may not have legally possessed.
If Aster Row defaulted, Silver Arc could claim them.
“How much of the loan has been spent?”
“Almost all.”
“On production?”
Blythe hesitated.
“Some.”
The rest paid for Corbin’s lifestyle.
A $4.2 million Tribeca penthouse under renovation.
Cars.
Travel.
A private club membership.
And deposits for a new production company headquarters.
Selena stared.
He had been building his post-divorce life with borrowed money against questionable rights derived from her company’s film.
Then Tamara sent her a link.
Entertainment news.
CORBIN ASHFORD AND VIVIAN STONE ANNOUNCE NEW PRODUCTION VENTURE.
They were calling it Monarch House Studios.
Selena actually laughed.
He was announcing a company while suspended.
Using the name of the film Vellum Crown owned.
Then Blythe said:
“We need to discuss the premiere.”
The audit now identified enough material risk that Vellum Crown could postpone release.
Corbin’s career launch depended on that premiere.
Vivian’s deals depended on it.
Silver Arc’s strategy depended on it.
Everyone expected Selena to cancel.
She did not.
“What does distribution recommend?”
“Release on schedule if we can separate the film from the disputed side deals.”
“Then do that.”
Blythe blinked.
“You’re keeping the premiere?”
“Yes.”
“Corbin will benefit.”
“If the film deserves release, employees and artists shouldn’t lose because he behaved badly.”
That was the choice her father asked her to make.
Do not destroy the film out of anger.
Then Blythe smiled slightly.
“There’s one issue.”
“What?”
“The premiere invitation list.”
Corbin had already requested six seats.
Himself.
Vivian.
Her parents.
Dennis Harrow.
And a Silver Arc executive.
Selena looked at the list.
“Honor legitimate contractual invitations.”
“What about you?”
Selena paused.
She had never planned to attend.
Then she remembered the cemetery.
Vivian saying some men needed women who belonged at premieres.
Selena smiled.
“I’ll be there.”
May you like
But she would not attend as Corbin’s wife.
She would attend as the owner of the company hosting the event.
