The world reeled in shock as Nigella Lawson, the baroque beauty of the cooking world was assaulted by her husband of many years, Charles Saatchi. He came into her life with positivism - turning her from a mildly successful British chef into a global star.

While other female TV chefs cooked, Nigella enticed. While they chopped, cut and made food that appealed to harried women, she seduced the epicurean in the men. While they were appreciated for a recipe or a technique, she became the epitome of sensuality - a domestic goddess that women wanted to emulate.

Saatchi was instrumental in bringing about her success - from her outfits to the lighting, from what she cooked to how she did it - he had a finger in every pie. But somewhere he became her Svengali. She forgot that under that sensual and sweet exterior ran a core of steel that had helped her overcome many a personal challenge including the death of her mother, sister and first husband. This is perhaps where the first seeds of discontent sprouted.

One of the biggest mistakes he made was to try and play down the public debacle he caused when he assaulted her in full view. Nigella played domestic goddess even then - a shattered expression, teary eyes and yet, a firm jaw. It stood firm under public scrutiny and firmer still when she moved her belongings out of their $12 million Chelsea pad. And he compounded his errors further when he announced, via the media, that he would be divorcing her.

Nigella withstood the same in dignified silence. However by approaching Fiona she has given Charles a clear indication and warning of the tough fight he will be up against. Fiona was instrumental in reducing Heather Mills substantial $125 million claim to a mere $24.3 million during the divorce proceedings between her and Sir Paul McCartney. And when the judge agreed, the rather irate Mills threw water at this hotshot lawyer. A nonchalant

Fiona appeared beside a jubilant McCartney outside the courthouse with her usually debonair poof was slicked back into dripping locks. Nigella and Charles's collective worth stands at about $130 million, much of which has been raked in by Nigella and her success as a chef and TV personality. Charles could file for substantial claims and this is exactly where Fiona steps in - known for her shrewd and no-nonsense courtroom behaviorthat more often than not gets her client the win. Wonder what this Svengali will do when the curtain falls...