Chapter 4 - THE PRICE OF SILENCE
Julian Vance arrived at the Moretti estate the next morning wearing a
dark suit and an expression of grave concern.
He carried a leather folder and asked to see Alejandro.
Marcus met him in the entrance hall.
“Mr. Moretti is recovering.”
“I heard. I came as soon as I could.”
“You were here last night.”
Julian’s expression did not change. “I brought him documents.”
“Did you pour his wine?”
“I believe I did.”
Marcus studied him. “The police may want to ask you some questions.”
Julian gave a small, disappointed sigh.
“Of course. Anything I can do to help.”
He handed Marcus the folder.
“Please make sure Alejandro sees this. It’s time-sensitive.”
The folder contained a draft resolution for the board of Moretti
Holdings. It would authorize Julian to exercise expanded emergency
powers if Alejandro became medically incapacitated. The document had
been prepared three weeks earlier.
Marcus did not open it in the hall.
Instead, he took the folder to Naomi Bell, the company’s outside
counsel, who had been summoned to review the security footage.
Naomi read the first page and frowned.
“This is not a routine continuity document.”
“What’s wrong with it?”
“It gives Julian control over several subsidiaries, voting proxies, and
the authority to liquidate selected assets during a declared emergency.
If Alejandro had died or remained unconscious, Julian could have moved
quickly before the board understood what was happening.”
Marcus’s jaw tightened.
“Can he do that?”
“Not without approvals. But the document is designed to make it look as
though he already has them.”
Naomi checked the signature page.
“There’s another problem. Alejandro’s signature is here.”
“Is it real?”
“I don’t know yet. We need the original and a forensic review.”
At the hospital, Alejandro listened while Naomi explained the document.
“Did I sign it?”
“You signed a different emergency authorization last year. This version
expands the powers considerably. The signature appears to have been
copied from the older document.”
Alejandro closed his eyes.
“Julian knew exactly where to find it.”
“He had access to your legal archive.”
“Then he had access to everything.”
Naomi nodded.
“There’s also a corporate deadline. The board is scheduled to vote on
the merger next week. Julian could use your hospitalization to claim
that you cannot participate.”
Alejandro’s voice became cold.
“Then the vote is postponed.”
“He’ll challenge that.”
“Let him.”
Naomi placed another document on the table.
“There’s something else. The company has been making payments to a
consulting firm in Delaware. The firm is registered to a former client
of Julian’s. The payments began shortly after the merger negotiations
started.”
Alejandro stared at the figures.
“Find out where the money went.”
Naomi gathered the papers.
“I’ll coordinate with the forensic accountants and the authorities.”
When she left, Alejandro looked toward the window.
He had built his empire believing loyalty could be measured by years of
May you like
service.
Now he understood that time alone proved nothing.
