He did not embrace her.
He understood her too well. Olivia had always preferred information before comfort.
He set the folder on the kitchen island.
“Andrew has been temporarily relieved of certain administrative duties pending review,” Marcus said. “Not formally removed yet. They are being careful.”
Olivia opened the folder.
Inside were emails, payment approvals, travel reimbursements, shell-company registrations, and photographs showing Andrew and Serena entering a resort in Palm Springs during a weekend Andrew had claimed to spend at a regional readiness conference.
There were messages too.
Olivia read only three before closing the file.
Marcus watched her.
“You do not have to use the affair.”
“I know.”
“The financial file is enough.”
“I know.”
He leaned against the counter.
“Then why look?”
Olivia glanced toward the bedroom.
“Because when Ethan asks me one day why I left, I need to know the answer without exaggeration.”
Marcus nodded.
At eight o’clock, Olivia met Lydia Chen, a family attorney known for handling quiet divorces involving very loud men. Lydia was in her fifties, observant, calm, and completely uninterested in drama. She reviewed the documents silently, making notes with a blue pen and asking precise questions.
