Chapter 4 - The Woman Who Chose the Mistress
Sixteen months earlier, Selina Avery had been drowning financially.
Her mother’s medical debt had followed the family for years.
Her marketing job disappeared.
Rent rose.
Then Cassandra Whitmore contacted her.
Cassandra claimed she was searching for descendants of former Whitmore employees for an archival project.
Selina believed her.
Cassandra asked about Rebecca.
Then gradually about Selina.
Dating life.
Career.
Whether she wanted children.
Selina should have walked away.
She didn't.
Then Cassandra offered her contract work at a Whitmore charity event.
Flynn attended.
Cassandra seated them together.
At first, nothing happened.
Flynn talked about Mabel.
Mostly complaints.
She worked too much.
She questioned company decisions.
She had failed to give him the family life he imagined.
Selina listened.
Months later, another event.
Then messages.
Then drinks.
Then affair.
Mabel asked:
“Were you paid to sleep with him?”
Selina recoiled.
“No.”
“Were you paid to meet him?”
“Yes.”
“How much?”
“Eight thousand dollars.”
Flynn looked sick.
Selina continued.
“I didn't know she wanted this.”
Mabel almost laughed.
“You continued seeing a married man.”
“Yes.”
No excuse.
Good.
Then Cassandra began feeding Selina ideas.
Flynn deserved someone younger.
Someone supportive.
Someone who could give Whitmore a son.
Selina admitted she liked hearing it.
Because she was falling for Flynn.
Because Flynn spent money on her.
Because being chosen by a wealthy older man made her feel powerful.
Ugly truth.
Then pregnancy.
Cassandra became intensely interested.
She arranged clinic.
Testing.
Prenatal paperwork.
Flynn believed Cassandra was helping protect his unborn son.
Instead, she was building something.
But what?
Cassandra arrived at Phoebe’s office that afternoon furious.
“This is ridiculous.”
Marcus asked:
“Did you hire Selina Avery?”
“Yes.”
“For what purpose?”
“Archival research.”
“Did you intentionally introduce her to Flynn?”
Cassandra hesitated.
“Yes.”
Flynn stood.
“You set me up?”
Cassandra stared at him.
“I introduced you to a woman. You committed adultery all by yourself.”
Mabel almost respected the accuracy.
Flynn did not.
“Why?”
Cassandra looked toward Evelyn.
“Because Dad was going to destroy the company.”
Harrison?
Dead nine years.
What had he planned?
A succession rule.
Harrison’s original estate plan divided Whitmore voting interests:
60% Flynn.
40% Cassandra.
But Charles Hale’s preferred rights could convert under specific circumstances.
If converted, Flynn’s control could fall below 50%.
Harrison hated that.
Before death, he developed a strategy.
Merge Hale rights through marriage.
Mabel and Flynn’s marriage accomplished part of it.
Mabel stared.
“Are you saying our marriage was financial?”
Flynn immediately answered:
“No.”
Cassandra laughed.
“Not for you.”
Silence.
Mabel turned.
“Explain.”
Harrison had encouraged Flynn to date Mabel years earlier.
Flynn genuinely fell in love.
But Harrison understood marriage could eventually consolidate economic interests.
Charles knew too.
He allowed marriage because he trusted Mabel.
Then Mabel struggled to conceive.
Cassandra began calculating.
If Flynn had no male child, he had discussed transferring future executive succession to Cassandra’s sons.
But Cassandra had no children.
Then she discovered Rebecca Avery’s dormant interest.
Selina became useful.
A descendant with a claim could potentially be bought out cheaply before activation.
If Selina also became Flynn’s partner?
Even better.
Her interest could be folded into Flynn’s branch.
Mabel stared at Cassandra.
“You wanted them together.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“So the Avery claim stayed inside Whitmore.”
Selina’s face collapsed.
She had thought Cassandra was her friend.
She had been an asset.
Then Marcus interrupted.
“There is a problem with your theory.”
Cassandra looked at him.
“What?”
“Rebecca Avery’s interest isn't four-point-six million.”
He turned his laptop.
“That estimate excludes accumulated distributions.”
Phoebe stared.
“How much?”
Marcus answered:
“Approximately twenty-three million.”
Selina sat down.
Flynn went pale.
Mabel looked between them.
May you like
Then Marcus added:
“And Rebecca wasn't the only Avery with an interest.”
