7. Seven

Chase

Val and I arrive at precisely three o’clock at her attorney’s office.

His administrative assistant gives us a sympathetic smile and states. “If you’ll have a seat, I’ll let them know you’re here.”

Val turns to me with a frown, “Them? Mr. Jenkins is my attorney. I’m not expecting anyone else.”

The door opens, and Mr. Jenkins walks in. He’s an older man with gray hair but a kind smile. He looks slightly agitated as he approaches us.

“Val,” he turns to me to shake my hand, “Mr. Knight, thank you both for coming. We received the digital copy of your marriage certificate this morning. I’ll have my admin take a copy before you leave.”

He frowns as he explains, “Unfortunately, we have a few unexpected visitors who wish to learn more about your new husband.”

I watch as Val’s eyes widen in apprehension. She gives me a quick searching glance. I just give her a brief, confident nod.

“If you’ll both follow me, I’ll try to keep this as short as possible, and afterward, we’ll talk. Not to worry, you two. I’m prepared for their questions.”

Val and I both follow him into a conference room.

Val and I are both tense when we see Val’s uncle seated at the table. There are two other older men and a woman who gives Val an apologetic glance as we come in. They avoid our eyes and shift in their seats uncomfortably.

The men stand except for her Uncle Victor when we walk in. I can feel their curious gaze on me.

Mr. Jenkins looks at his admin. “Janis, could you make copies of the file you prepared earlier today?”

Janis, Mr. Jenkins’ admin, nods and then leaves the room. We all sit down.

Mr. Jenkins clears his throat and then begins. “Victor Carlucci and some of the directors on the board dropped in with a few, shall we say, concerns about your hasty marriage.”

Mr. Jenkins looks over his glasses as he continues. “First, I believe everyone knows Valentina Carlucci. This is her new husband, Chase Knight.” He introduces the two men as the Chair and the Vice Chair of the board of directors for Carlucci Software. The woman is also a director; her title is Secretary.

After the brief introductions, Mr. Jenkins states, “Valentina, your Uncle Victor, and these members representing the board seem concerned with who you’ve chosen to marry. Their major concern is that your new husband may try to influence your decisions concerning Carlucci Software.”

The door opens quietly, and Janis, the administrative assistant, hands Mr. Jenkins a folder and then takes a seat off to the side.

Val looks around the room and states quietly, “Until now, I and the board have allowed my uncle to run the business as he sees fit. While I haven’t always agreed with some of his ideas, the company has continued to profit. I will continue to approve of changes that I think are a good fit for the future of Carlucci Software,” Val’s eyes look directly at each of the people sitting there, “I don’t see that changing, in any way, just because I’m now married.”

Each of the board members seated again shift uncomfortably in their chairs at her words.

I speak up, “Val, they’re worried about my motives for marrying you.”

“That does seem to be the case,” Mr. Jenkins admits drily.

Val’s uncle gives me a snide smile as he states loudly, “Well, you have to admit, you certainly have a lot to gain from marrying my niece. Her inheritance for one and stock shares in a very profitable company.”

I feel all eyes looking toward me. As I open my mouth to respond, Mr. Jenkins beats me to it.

“Actually, after a copy of the marriage certificate was provided, and I heard from Mr. Carlucci, I took it upon myself to look into Mr. Knight’s background and finances.”

He opens the file in front of him, pulls out some papers, and then hands them to Janis to distribute to the board. She also hands a copy to Val and me and only then gives the last copy to Val’s uncle before she again takes her seat.

Mr. Jenkins continues, “Chase Knight is a partner at Knight Security with his two brothers. Their family company is estimated to be worth four times Carlucci Software’s current value,” he pauses for effect. “In short, it would appear that Val has married into a very affluent family. And it would also appear that Mr. Knight is quite adept at making sound business decisions.”

The room grows quiet as everyone looks over the details written on the papers they were handed. I look over at Val, who gives me an embarrassed look. I reach out and reassuringly squeeze her hand.

Then, we both turn toward her uncle. As he reads over the evidence in front of him, his face turns a blotchy red color, and I see beads of sweat appear on his forehead.

All eyes now turn to Victor Carlucci. The Chair of the Board turns to him and stiffly states, “Victor, I assumed you would have researched certain facts before calling this emergency meeting and requesting our presence.”

Victor Carlucci doesn’t respond. Instead, he accusingly glares at me and then glares at Val.

The three other directors of the board lean toward each other and talk quietly. We watch as they shake their heads and then turn back toward the attorney.

“Mr. Jenkins, thank you for this information. Any fears we or others may have had appear to be unfounded,” the Chair then turns toward us, “Val, it appears you and your young man are off to a fine start. Congratulations on your marriage.”

All of us stand as they walk over to Val and me and shake our hands. The woman gives Val a hug and then turns and gives Victor a reproachful look before she states, “I’ll be leaving now. Val, what you said earlier, I will pass those reassuring words on to the rest of the board members.”

After the others leave, Val’s uncle remains standing. He puffs out his chest and states, “I will still be disputing the transfer of the stock shares per our earlier discussion, Mr. Jenkins.” He then looks over at me and Val and says, “Nothing personal. I just have to consider the good of the Carlucci company.”

“Of course. Why would we take this personally?” I reach out and wrap my arm around Val’s waist. We stand like that until her uncle leaves.

Mr. Jenkins sits back down and motions for us to sit as well. He gives us both a kind smile, then turns toward Janis, “Please be sure to make a copy of their marriage certificate and return the original to them before they leave. That will be all, Janis. Thank you.”

She smiles politely and leaves the conference room.

Mr. Jenkins leans forward in his chair and gives us a direct look. “Unfortunately, Victor has been making claims that your marriage is fake just to receive your inheritance. He seems very determined to make waves. He has set out to prove that your marriage is a sham.”

“Mr. Jenkins, I don’t understand. Why would that even matter? Val should be able to marry whomever she wants. Many marriages don’t last. Why would he or anyone else care one way or the other if our marriage is a sham or not?” I ask sharply.

“I don’t disagree with you, and quite frankly, I doubt this dispute will lead to litigation. I don’t think it will hold up in a court of law. It’s too outrageous. The will states, ‘happily married and devoted.’ Val’s uncle is only trying to delay the inevitable.”

Mr Jenkins looks over at Val. “They cannot negate your parent’s will. It’s ironclad, as you know. The problem is Victor. He wants to keep you from having control of the company.”

“Is there anything we can do to make this go away?”

Mr. Jenkins is already shaking his head. “I’ve already tried. Nothing will dissuade him at this time. However, I think you should do everything you can to show this marriage is not just to collect your inheritance. You don’t want this dispute to end up in litigation.”

“What happens if it goes to litigation?”

“You could spend years in court. But again, I don’t think that’s likely to happen. So, I advise both of you to make sure your marriage stays on track. No arguments or spending nights apart. Don’t give him any fuel for his fire, and it will soon go out. Understood? Just remember to look happy and devoted to each other.”

“Yes, we understand. Thank you, Mr. Jenkins.”

As we walk outside, Val keeps her eyes downcast as if she doesn’t want to look at me.

Once we’re in the truck, I state as casually as I can, “I guess this means we’ll be living together.”