Chapter 8 - THE WEDDING FILE
Luca ordered a full review of Dominic's accounts.
The results were worse than expected.
For nearly a year, Dominic had been moving money through shell companies linked to Peter Bell. Some transfers had been disguised as consulting fees. Others had been routed through Vanessa's father's investment firm.
The amounts were substantial, but the real danger was not the money.
Dominic had obtained copies of the trust documents and altered several pages. He intended to present the forged version after Luca's wedding, claiming that the original amendment had been destroyed.
Vanessa's role was to marry Luca, secure temporary authority over the estate, and help Dominic challenge the trust.
The fake affair scandal was meant to make Luca desperate enough to sign the agreement.
But one question remained.
Why had Vanessa needed Elena at the wedding?
Elena answered that question when she arrived at the mansion with her attorney.
“She wants me to bring the original amendment,” she said. “She plans to accuse me of hiding it and claim I used it to manipulate Luca.”
Luca looked at her.
“Can she prove that?”
“No. But if she stages the accusation in front of the family trustees, it could delay the trust review long enough for Dominic to move the remaining funds.”
Daniel placed a second folder on the table.
“We found the drive.”
“Where?”
“In Vanessa's dressing room.”
Luca looked at him.
“Did you open it?”
“Not yet. We wanted you present.”
They went upstairs together.
The drive contained hundreds of photographs, private messages, recordings, and copies of documents. Some were real. Others had been altered.
One folder was labeled WEDDING NIGHT.
Inside was a schedule.
At 8:15 p.m., Elena would arrive.
At 8:30, Mercer would deliver the photographs.
At 8:45, Vanessa would confront Luca.
At 9:00, Dominic would present the forged trust amendment.
At 9:15, Luca would be pressured to sign the marital agreement.
I stared at the screen.
“She planned every minute.”
Luca's face was cold.
“She planned it as though she already owned this house.”
Elena opened another file.
A recording began playing.
Vanessa's voice filled the room.
“Once Luca signs, Dominic can take care of the rest. If he refuses, we'll make him look unstable. The family trustees won't let an unstable man control the trust.”
Another voice answered.
Dominic.
“And the maid?”
Vanessa laughed.
“She'll be gone before the wedding. Nobody will believe a woman like that over me.”
I felt my throat tighten.
Luca stopped the recording.
For a long moment, he looked at the screen without speaking.
Then he turned toward me.
“I'm sorry.”
I shook my head.
“You didn't do it.”
“But it happened in my house.”
I had no answer.
Elena closed the laptop.
“We need to decide what happens next.”
May you like
Luca looked toward the window.
“We let them believe the plan is still working.”
