Chapter 4 - The Promissory NoteI picked up the divorce papers. "The $150,000 debt you asked me to pay?"

"Yes."

"It was paid by Meridian Consulting LLC. A company I established in February." I looked directly at him. "The payment was made as a personal business loan to you."

He went very still. "What?"

"There's a promissory note."

"What promissory note?"

"The one you signed in December."

His face changed. Months earlier, Julian had signed a package of year-end business documents. Buried among them was a promissory note acknowledging his personal obligation to Meridian Consulting LLC for up to $150,000. Now that the money had actually been advanced, the terms applied. Ninety days. Eight percent interest.

I explained it slowly. Julian stared at me. "You set me up."

"No."

"You brought me a debt and asked me to solve it."

I folded my hands. "I arranged financing. Financing comes with terms."

"You tricked me."

"You signed the documents."

"This is fraud."

"Priscilla disagrees." I kept my voice even. "The documentation is standard. Your own business attorney handled the paperwork. If neither of you bothered to read what you signed, that isn't something I can fix for you."

Julian placed both palms on the counter. For the first time, the man who always assumed he controlled every situation looked completely lost.

"The house…"

"Mine."

"The $150,000…"

"Still your debt." I paused. "Just owed to Meridian now."

He looked at Simone. She looked away.

Then I lifted the divorce petition. "As for these…"

Julian waited.

"I'm not signing them today."

"You can't refuse to divorce me."

"I'm not refusing a divorce. I'm refusing to sign something immediately just because you staged a performance in my kitchen. My attorney will speak with yours. There will be a proper process."

What Julian didn't yet understand was that he no longer controlled the timeline. The house was protected. My assets were protected. The prenuptial agreement was clear. And now his $150,000 obligation was legally documented.

Fiona finally spoke. "Julian, maybe you should call Marcus."

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Marcus was Julian's attorney.

I smiled faintly. "That sounds like an excellent idea."