Chapter 8 - THE REASON SHE WANTED THE CHILD
The answer emerged from Peter Bellini's financial records.
Ethan's trust was worth considerably more than Olivia had realized. It included a life insurance settlement, shares in a logistics company, and a property portfolio that had increased in value after his death.
The trust was protected while Olivia remained the child's guardian. But a court-appointed temporary guardian could petition to manage certain assets under strict supervision.
Vanessa and Peter had been planning to use the guardianship application to gain access to the trust's financial records and influence its management.
They had also been in debt.
Peter's company owed money to several creditors. Vanessa had transferred funds from joint accounts to help him. The records suggested she expected access to the child's trust to solve their financial problems.
Luca read the report without speaking.
Olivia sat beside him.
“She wanted my daughter for money?”
Francesca answered carefully.
“The documents support the conclusion that financial control was a major motive. We cannot know every thought Vanessa had, but the proposed guardianship would have given her a path to influence the trust.”
Olivia pressed a hand to her stomach.
“My baby isn't an account. She's a little girl.”
Luca put his arm around her.
“I know.”
Then Francesca showed them another message.
It had been sent from Vanessa to Peter:
Once the baby is born, Olivia will be exhausted and overwhelmed. The court will see that she cannot manage everything. We only need temporary control.
Olivia began to cry.
May you like
Luca took the paper and set it down.
“She will never be alone with you again.”
