Fidelity (Infidelity #5)(73)

“Miss Collins, are you all right?” Natalie asked.

“What?” I looked up into her concerned expression. I was sitting at the table with my head in my hands. Her question brought me back to present.

Nox squatted near my knees. “You’re suddenly pale. Are you sure you don’t want to reschedule?”

I shook my head again. Breakfast had been less than appetizing. I was ready for Lana’s cooking or even Silvia’s. The hotel room service didn’t even come close. “No. His voice just caught me off guard. If we reschedule we need to stay here longer. I don’t want to do that.”

“Can I get you something? Water or coffee?” Natalie asked. “I-I’m not sure how long Mr. Porter will be.”

Mr. Owen pulled back the sleeve of his suit coat and looked at his watch. “Mr. Porter will be here in less than five minutes, because that is the time we scheduled.”

“Sir, I-I’m not—”

Nox also stood. “Our appointment supersedes a walk-in, Ms. Banks.”

“I-I’ll see what I can do.”

“Miss Collins,” Mr. Owen said as he sat. “I’ve read over and over your grandfather’s will regarding my phone call with your mother. The way I interpret Article XII…” He pulled a printed document from his briefcase. “Right here.” He pointed.



As is now the case, it is essential that Adelaide Montague remain married to Alton Fitzgerald for the remainder of their earthly lives. As Adelaide’s husband, Alton Fitzgerald will have all rights set forth as the primary stockholder in Montague Corporation. If either party files for divorce or attempts to end the marriage, all Montague holdings revert to Alexandria Collins.



“So it’s all mine. End of story?”

“That would be too simple. Look at the next section.”

This wasn’t the first time or even the tenth time that Nox and I had mulled over this document. I knew I wasn’t an attorney yet, but some of the wording seemed inconsistent to me, at best.



Once the age or degree completion has occurred, in order for A. Collins to inherit the Montague holdings and assets and to fulfill the requirements set forth in this legal document she must adhere to the following:

Being of the legal age of twenty-five (or having completed her college degree), Alexandria Collins must agree to a legal union with a husband who too will represent her and their biological children’s shares in Montague Corporation as well as in the running of private Montague assets.



“And this is where we get into the bullshit about Spencer,” Nox said, leaning back in the chair beside me, no longer reading along.

“Yes,” Mr. Owen confirmed. “I do believe he’s no longer a viable option. Thankfully, your grandfather put the qualifier in that he must prove himself worthy.”

“But the codicil changes everything anyway, right?” I prayed we’d interpreted it correctly.

“It qualifies, but quite honestly there’s room for interpretation. If contested, it could go before a judge and be reheard.”

“The codicil says that the assets will be equally divided between the heirs. That’s Alex and her mom,” Nox refuted.

“Yes. I’ve been reviewing your mother’s prenuptial agreement. Your grandfather may have entrusted his daughter to Alton Fitzgerald, but he didn’t his fortune or his company. The wording is complex legalese. Just like the portion of the will pertaining to you, the prenuptial agreement is vague. In essence, your grandfather forbade their divorce. I’d assume he was concerned that Mr. Fitzgerald would be the one to initiate it. That was why he stipulated the assets going to you. He even made that stipulation in the case of either of their deaths.

I nodded. “Alton told me that Momma wouldn’t die. He said some things are worse than death.”

“Unbelievable,” Nox muttered.

Daryl Owen looked up from the document, his dark eyes swirling with both disbelief and pity as he shook his head. “Okay, well, I interpret your grandfather’s wishes as no matter what, Montague will stay in the family. His stipulation for liquidation and assets going to Fitzgerald Investments was nullified by the codicil.”

“So we’re good?” Nox said.

“Where it gets complicated are the stipulations for Alexandria’s inheritance. He states twenty-five years of age or the completion of a degree.”

“I have a degree.”

Mr. Owen nodded. “And a legal union with a husband who too will represent her and their biological children’s shares…”

“Misogynistic.” I shook my head. “Come on, even the monarchy of England is now recognizing female heirs in lines of succession. If this goes before a judge, he or she would recognize that times have changed.”

“Get out of my way!”

My breath caught in my lungs at Alton’s demand. His voice was coming from right outside the door.

“No, sir,” Isaac responded.

“I said get out of my way. Alexandria is in there and I need to see her.”

We all waited, the entire room holding its collective breath, but Isaac didn’t respond.

“Alexandria!” Alton’s voice boomed from the other side of the door. “If you want your mother to have any chance of a divorce, get out here.”