Barrett managed daily dispatching; I handled all administrative, compliance, and financial operations until our sons needed full-time care.”

Douglas rose to cross-examine. “Mrs. O’Connell, did you ever receive an official corporate salary in those early years?”

“No.”

“Then legally, you were never an official employee of the company. Correct?”

“I deferred my compensation because the business needed the liquidity to survive.”

He pulled a bound folder from his desk. “The signed prenuptial agreement states that all business assets held in Mr. O’Connell’s name remain his exclusive property.”