Chapter 9 - THE BLUEPRINT SHOWDOWN|
Beckett’s lawyer stepped forward immediately, slapping a leather folder onto the table.
"Mr. Vance, with all due respect, Mrs. Hail was an unpaid consultant for Hail Development. Any work produced during her marriage falls under marital asset umbrella agreements!"
"Is that right?" Roa Chabi stood up from beside Imara, smiling like a shark. "Let's test that theory in court, Counselor."
Roa tapped a button on her tablet. The giant presentation screen behind Julian Vance lit up.
Displayed on the screen was a notarized contract dated two years prior.
"This is an independent intellectual property agreement signed by Beckett Hail himself," Roa explained to the board. "Section 4, Clause B clearly states: All architectural concepts generated under the registered entity 'Coulson Design Studio' remain the sole, unassignable property of Imara Coulson, independent of marital status or corporate affiliation."
Beck turned violently toward his lawyer. "What is she talking about?"
"You signed it in 2024, Beck," Imara said softly. "The night you wanted me to sign the mortgage guarantee for the Rosedale expansion. You signed my IP agreement without reading it because you thought my designs were worthless back then."
Beck's face turned ash-gray. He remembered that night. He had been drunk on scotch, eager to secure the loan, slapping his signature on whatever paper Imara held out.
Julian Vance leaned back in his leather armchair, looking at Beck with sheer contempt.
"Hail Development has breached the ethics clause of our funding contract," Vance announced flatly. "Vanguard Capital is pulling its forty-two million dollars from Hail Development immediately."
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"Julian, wait!" Beck pleaded, slamming his hands onto the table. "We can fix this! We can remove Dario! We can put Imara's name on the building!"
"It's too late, Beckett," Vance said, standing up. "Because Vanguard has just signed a new primary contract directly with Coulson Design Studio."
