The Divorce and the House
Chapter 14 - The Divorce and the House
Michael filed for divorce.
Celeste requested half of Ashford House.
The trust deed ended that argument.
She requested a share of Michael’s company holdings.
Most had been placed into restitution after the investigation revealed losses associated with his unreviewed approvals.
The settlement was smaller than either expected.
Michael kept personal savings, photographs, and the apartment he purchased independently.
Celeste retained assets unconnected to fraud.
Ruth exercised her right to remove Celeste permanently from Ashford House.
She did not ask Michael to remain there.
“You need a home that is yours,” she said.
He moved to a modest townhouse ten minutes away.
For the first time since childhood, Michael lived somewhere not attached to the company, trust, or family name.
He cooked badly.
He forgot trash day.
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He learned how many decisions staff had quietly made around him.
Ordinary inconvenience became an education in dependence without control.
