Serena #2
“Tony, it’s good to see you.” He winked. Antonia gagged, and I had to stifle a laugh.
“I could’ve gone the rest of my life without ever seeing you again, Sylvester,” Antonia said, rolling her eyes and focusing on me. “If you’re done with your theatrics, I’d like to get to work.”
“Please. You know how I love to watch you work.” Sly sat in the chair next to me, never taking his eyes off her.
She sighed and turned to me. “Charles Clearwart is an asshole. How you managed to stay with him for as long as you did is a testament to your patience. As for your case, there are valid violations of the custody agreement on your part, which I highlighted in yellow.” She handed me a folder.
I opened it and flipped through the pages. There were a few sections that were highlighted in yellow, most of what I expected; a few I didn’t. There were twice as many orange-highlighted sections, hitting almost every bullet point within the document.
“The orange highlight is Charles?” I asked.
“Yes. I have verified proof of each breach in the contract. Multiple examples in some cases. I’ve also had the opportunity to look at the rules around his trust fund.” She handed me another folder.
“I was told his access to the fund was being revoked due to a morality clause violation,” Antonia continued, not looking up from the pages in front of her. “Take a look at these.”
She handed over another folder. The words were in legalese, which, to me, was as foreign as the Italian Enzo was constantly muttering.
“The highlighted sections are his violations. There are stipulations and clauses that leave little grey area. Should he violate any of them, the trustees have the right to withhold the funds. He gets a percentage of the fund every year, which for him is ten million dollars.” She sighed.
“Why they are choosing to invoke the morality clause is more about the fact that his family can no longer ignore how frivolous he’s being.
It reflects badly on the family and their business.
A thirty-six-year-old man-child who frequently screws up deals is not a good look. ”
She waved another folder, but didn’t give it to me.
“Those pictures are the tip of the iceberg. Junior is bad at business and has no idea how to properly cover his tracks when he crosses into the wrong side of the law. For every indiscretion you have, he has three. Hopefully, his team will understand that and have a come-to-Jesus talk with him that will make him back down.” She sighed.
“I’m even less concerned about his trust fund.
His family is serious about enforcing the rules, and they have before. I’ve seen them do it.”
“Didn’t your father have to handle some contract issues that he’d signed without reading or sending over?” Sly asked. She gave me a long-suffering look but didn’t acknowledge that Sly had spoken.
Antonia flipped her ponytail over her shoulder, placing her laptop on the coffee table.
She typed without looking up. “My father has known Charles Senior for most of his life. My family firm oversees all their funds. Charles Junior has been running amok and has only gotten sloppier in the way he handles clients and investors since he stepped into the role his father handed to him.”
She looked up from her laptop and frowned at me.
“He’s a loser with a lot of money and self-entitlement.
He’s the father of your child, but I can’t imagine what it’s like to deal with his sorry ass every day.
That must suck. I’m sorry I couldn’t help before.
I am glad you took my recommendations. Your last lawyer did well. I’ll finish it for you.”
“It was helpful. And the last guy was honored that you suggested him.” I smiled at the memory. The shocked look on my previous divorce attorney’s face when I showed him her actual recommendation still made me laugh. He couldn’t say yes fast enough.
“Good. He should be.” She closed her laptop.
“I’m heading back to my office. Read over the files.
I made annotations with my suggestions for the next steps.
Email me if you have questions or ideas that overlap.
I also want you to send me every communication you’ve had with him in the last two years.
Any hostile or what you perceived as retaliatory behavior. Don’t leave anything out.”
She stood up.
“I’ll walk you out.” Sly stood up, too.
“No. I can leave perfectly fine on my own.” She wrinkled her nose. If she didn’t look so murderous, I would’ve thought the action looked cute. “I know where the door is.”
Antonia strutted out, so fast there was a poof of smoke behind her.
Sly turned to Enzo and me. “It’s been fun, guys. Ma will be in touch. She wanted me to let you know.” He pointed at Rafael; “You’re still the biggest asshole I know.”
He rubbed his hands together as he walked to the door. “Got to go catch my girl before I lose her again.”
Sly prowled out, like a man on a mission.
“Should I be worried?” I asked. “Antonia Mancini is the best. I don’t want him running her back across the country.”