Chapter 11 - Mark tells the truth badly
Mark’s first formal interview with outside counsel lasted four hours.
He had his own lawyer.
Good.
He admitted receiving money.
He said:
“Claire told me she needed private confirmation of Ethan’s travel because surprise returns were causing problems with wedding planning and household scheduling.”
“Why not use the shared family calendar?”
“She said Ethan changed things without updating it.”
True.
I did.
“Why pay you personally?”
“She said she didn’t want vendors calling the executive office.”
Weak.
“Did you tell Ethan?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“I thought he’d think it was inappropriate.”
There.
If you hide an arrangement because the person affected would object, that matters.
Then:
“What is ‘home window’?”
Mark looked down.
“That was Claire’s term.”
“What did she ask?”
“When Ethan was definitely gone and when he could unexpectedly return.”
“Why?”
“She said Lily’s routine destabilized if Ethan appeared mid-consequence.”
That sentence froze the room.
Mark quickly added:
“I didn’t know what consequences meant.”
“Did you ever ask?”
“No.”
“Did you know Lily was being placed in a laundry room?”
“No.”
“Polishing shoes?”
“No.”
“Letters removed?”
“No.”
“Did Claire ever say she needed time to ‘reset Lily’ before Ethan returned?”
Mark closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
“How many times?”
“I don’t know. Several.”
“And you kept providing schedules?”
“Yes.”
Why?
Money partly.
But something else.
Mark had gone through an ugly divorce.
Legal bills.
Child support.
A mortgage.
He earned $185,000 plus bonus.
Not poor.
Still overextended.
Aster’s payments felt easy.
He also liked being needed by someone close to me.
Information can make assistants feel powerful.
Mark said:
“I told myself it was harmless because she already knew most of the calendar.”
There.
Rationalization does not require evil.
May you like
Only convenience.
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