Chapter 7 - VANESSA’S CONFESSION
Vanessa agreed to meet Luca at her lawyer’s office.
She wore a cream coat and no jewelry.
“My father told me the company was a family investment,” she said. “He
said the money was part of my inheritance.”
“Did you sign the forms?”
“Yes.”
“Did you ask what they were for?”
“He said they were routine.”
Luca placed an authorization form on the table.
“Did you know the company received money from the children’s fund?”
Vanessa looked down. “I saw the name once. I asked my father. He said
your mother had approved it.”
“My mother never approved it.”
“I know that now.”
“Why did you try to take the pearl?”
“My father called during the party. He said your mother had hidden
something that could ruin him. He told me to get it before the police
arrived.”
“So you tried to take evidence from an injured woman.”
“I panicked.”
“Did you know Sarah’s daughter had been denied help?”
Vanessa’s silence answered before she did.
“I knew there were complaints. My father told me to discourage your
mother from writing letters. I sent messages to the staff.”
Luca stood.
“Your statement needs to go to the investigators. Tell them everything.”
“Will you ever forgive me?”
“I don’t know. Forgiveness won’t decide the investigation.”
Vanessa began to cry.
Luca left the office and called Elena. “Send the statement and every
related record to the investigators.”
When he returned to the mansion, Evelyn was awake.
“Did she tell you?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Was she sorry?”
“She said she was.”
Evelyn closed her eyes. “Being sorry isn’t the same as making things
May you like
right.”
“No,” Luca said. “But telling the truth is a beginning.”
