Evelyn's personal family office would handle the agreement and the board's independent governance committee would receive a disclosure that a financial arrangement existed. Trevor might dislike it, but he would not be able to claim later that Evelyn secretly spent corporate money on her husband. Malcolm appreciated the difference, even if he disliked the world in which such distinctions had to be engineered before breakfast. They reached the courthouse shortly before 8:45. The ceremony lasted only minutes.
There were no flowers, no family photographs, and no romantic speeches. Evelyn's hand was cold when she placed it in Malcolm's. Malcolm repeated vows that were legally real, even if the reason behind them felt manufactured. Neither tried to kiss the other. When the clerk pronounced them married, Malcolm looked at the simple band on his hand and wondered what his wife would have thought of the absurdity.
His phone vibrated before they reached the courthouse steps. The initial contract payment had arrived from Evelyn's family office. Enough to stop the mortgage action immediately and create breathing room for the first time in years. Malcolm stared at the balance until his vision blurred. He did not cry.
He almost wished he could. Relief arrived as weakness in his knees. Evelyn stood one step below him. You got what you needed, she said. Malcolm put the phone away for now.
Good, Evelyn answered. Because what comes next is the part money can't fix. At 11:30, Malcolm entered Nexora's boardroom beside his new wife. The room overlooked the city from a height that made entire neighborhoods look like pieces on a planning model. 12 directors sat around a long table while Kelsey Monroe, Nexora's communications chief, stood near the wall with two members of her team.
Trevor Royce remained near the head of the table as though he already owned it. He looked at Evelyn, then Malcolm, then the ring. You cannot be serious. Evelyn took her seat. Malcolm Carter is my husband.
A director whispered something to the woman beside him. Trevor's eyes narrowed. And what exactly does Mr. Carter do? Malcolm answered before Evelyn could. I'm a bartender.
Trevor smiled as if Malcolm had made his argument for him. Of course you are. He called the marriage impulsive, manipulative, and further evidence of poor judgment. He referenced Evelyn's disappearance from the reception, the panic surrounding her recent decisions and concerns from shareholders. Malcolm did not understand every governance term, but he watched the people instead of the documents.
The chief financial officer kept his attention on his tablet. Two directors checked financial alerts whenever Trevor mentioned instability. Kelsey reacted most sharply when Trevor referred to press coverage. Malcolm leaned toward Evelyn. They're not afraid you're unstable, he murmured.
They're afraid of tomorrow's headline. Evelyn's eyes changed. She understood exactly what he meant. Trevor eventually turned his attention to Malcolm. What possible relevance does a bartender have to the governance of a public company?
Malcolm rested his hands on the polished table. None. I'm not here to tell you how to run a company. Trevor opened his mouth, but Malcolm continued. I'm telling you how this looks outside this room.