Chapter 43
“Nice to see you again, Hayden,”Vance said as he held out his hand in greeting.
“You too.” I shook his offered palm and then let go.
“I wish it was under better circumstances,” he said.
“Same,” I agreed.
Vance led us to his expansive office. Though his furniture was clearly expensive, there was none of the dark hardwood usually prevalent in an attorney’s office. Vance was all modern convenience, a mix between Japanese design and the lightness of a Scandinavian aesthetic.
There was no clutter here.
He gestured to the chairs in front of his desk and both Bones and I took our seats.
“Your attorney sent over the prenup he had drawn up,” Vance said. “If you’re okay with it, I’d like to go through it point by point. That way we’re all on the same page.”
“That’s fine with me.” I looked at Bones. “You?”
“Same.” Bones leaned back against the chair, looking completely at ease despite the fact that we were talking the legalities of our marriage.
“Great.” Vance picked up the stack of papers. “Basically, it’s as follows. Hayden’s trust will execute and all assets and ownership remain in her name and under her full control. You’ll never have access to any of it.”
“I don’t want access to it,” Bones defended.
I reached over and placed my hand on his thigh. “Please don’t take any of this the wrong way. I don’t for a second think you’re marrying me for my money or to gain access to anything. We just have to make sure we’re both protected in case something happens.”
“I’m not an idiot,” Bones said lightly. “I just hate attorneys.” He looked at Vance. “No offense.”
Vance raised his brows. “None taken.”
“Be nice,” I warned. “You never know when you’re going to need a good attorney.”
“Listen to your smart and beautiful fiancée,” Vance stated.
“Stop flirting with her,” Bones said.
“He wasn’t flirting with me.” I rolled my eyes.
“Yes, he was,” Bones insisted.
“Yes, I was.” Vance shot me an amused grin. “Mostly to piss him off. Anyway, let’s get back to it. So, we’ve covered the trust. The same goes for all assets, including the properties she currently owns.”
“Properties?” Bones asked. “What properties? Just the house, I thought.”
I shifted in my seat. “There’s a few more.”
“A few more? How many more?” he asked.
“The apartment in Venice, which belonged to my grandmother,” I said. “The house in Snowmass.”
“Snowmass?”
I sighed. “Aspen.”
“Jesus,” he muttered.
“And then there’s the, ah, French chateau.” I looked at Vance. “That’s all of them, right?”
“That’s all of them,” Vance agreed.
“You had to ask an attorney if there were any more properties? Like you just have so many you forget they exist?” Bones asked, his mouth all but dropping open.
“You knew I was wealthy,” I muttered.
“Yeah, but Jesus, Duchess.” He shook his head and sighed. “So, any properties she already owns, remain in her name. Got it.”
“Any assets you acquire after marriage, and any properties you buy together, should divorce occur, you’ll either sell the asset and split it, or one party may buy out the other.”
“Divorce isn’t happening,” Bones said. “This is all about protecting Hayden.”
“I appreciate the optimism, I really do,” I said. “But better to discuss these things now before emotions get involved.”
He looked at me.
“What?” I asked.
“The only thing that can separate me from you is death.”
“Bones…” I whispered.
“So, what happens if I die?” Bones asked Vance.
Vance didn’t look away from him when he replied, “Well, as we discussed when you had me draw things up, you don’t own any property and you have a retirement fund courtesy of the club. That reverts to her as you requested.”
He nodded. “And what happens if she dies?”
“Once Hayden marries, she gains control of the company as soon as the trust her father made executes. At that point, she’ll own fifty one percent of the shares. Her seat is the controlling seat on the board. With that position, she can override decisions of the rest of the board in full, even if it’s not a tie. Basically, she’s it. Now for the changes we’re going to make the moment you two are married. If Hayden passes away after you’re married, the company is going to be dissolved, the patents will all be sold to the highest bidder, and all proceeds will be donated to charity. It’s important to understand by doing this, we’re protecting her. There’s no incentive for Arnold, or anyone for that matter, to do anything to Hayden beyond that point. Properties in her name will transfer to her mother if her mother outlives her. If not, then they will be sold as well. If she dies or you divorce,” Vance looked to me and then to Bones, “you will get a monetary sum to be determined at a later date.”
Vance stared at me, his brow furrowed. “Your company’s share prices will most likely tank when the public becomes aware that you married a biker.”
“I discussed that with my attorney. I’m solvent enough that I’ll be able to buy back any shares that hit the market. I’m not worried about that. Is that all? Can we sign these and get out of here?”