Chapter 4 - The renovations were real
Delphine had spent money on Ashford House.
That part was true.
After our marriage, we renovated the west terrace and pool.
Why?
Because the pool decking was damaged.
The outdoor kitchen was outdated.
Delphine wanted more entertaining space.
I agreed.
Budget:
Initially $860,000.
Final:
$1.34 million.
My money paid most.
Delphine’s interior-design company, Maison Vale Studio, paid certain deposits and vendor charges, then submitted them to our household office for reimbursement.
That arrangement was legitimate.
It let her use preferred suppliers.
Another renovation:
Guest wing.
$420,000.
Landscaping:
$310,000.
Furniture:
$270,000.
Again:
Some paid directly by me.
Some advanced through Delphine’s company.
Then reimbursed.
What did she actually contribute without reimbursement?
Preliminary accounting:
Perhaps $190,000 to $260,000.
Not $1.72 million.
Why did her memorandum say $1.72 million?
Because it counted gross invoices before reimbursements.
That would be like paying a contractor $100, getting $100 back, then later claiming you invested $100 permanently.
Wrong.
Then “equity participation.”
No provision in our agreement allowed a spreadsheet to convert reimbursements into ownership.
My attorney said:
“Even if Ronan signed this memo, it may at most document a dispute or proposed accounting. It does not convey title.”
Delphine heard only:
May at most.
She still had hope.
May you like
I was interested in something else.
Who created it?
