Chapter 19 - THE PRICE OF THE DRAVEN NAME
The family council convened without Matteo's permission.
Stefan Draven stood at the head of the table and announced that Matteo was no longer fit to lead the organization.
He cited the missing wife, the financial investigation, and the possibility that the unborn child might not be a legitimate heir.
The council listened.
Then the doors opened.
Matteo entered with two attorneys and a stack of authenticated records.
“Sit down,” Stefan said.
“No.”
Matteo placed the documents on the table.
“These are the original Northline transfers. These are the device logs showing that Vivian's credentials were used from the private office while she was elsewhere. These are the emails in which you instructed the accountants to prepare a false guardianship petition.”
Stefan glanced at the pages.
“You have no proof I approved the transfers.”
Matteo slid forward the audio transcript.
“Your voice is on the recordings.”
A murmur moved around the table.
Stefan looked at him.
“You would destroy your own family over a woman who left you?”
Matteo's expression did not change.
“I would destroy a lie that nearly destroyed my wife.”
“You're letting emotion make decisions.”
“No. I'm finally making one without letting you make it for me.”
Stefan laughed.
“You think the council will accept this?”
“They will have to. The independent auditors have copies. So do the authorities.”
One of the council members looked toward the attorneys.
“Are the records authentic?”
“Yes,” one replied. “The device logs have been independently verified. The audio files are being examined, but the original source has been preserved.”
Stefan pushed back his chair.
“This is a private family matter.”
Matteo turned to him.
“You made it a criminal matter when you used my wife's name to move money and planned to take her child.”
Stefan's face changed.
“You don't know what you're doing.”
“I know exactly what I'm doing.”
Matteo placed one final document on the table.
It was a signed statement from Camille.
She described the payments Stefan had made, the instructions he had given her, and the conversations in which he discussed using Vivian's pregnancy to secure control of the trust.
Stefan looked at the statement.
“Where did you get this?”
“From the person you thought you could discard.”
For the first time, Stefan appeared uncertain.
The council voted to suspend his authority pending the investigation.
Matteo did not celebrate.
He left the room and went directly to the hospital where Vivian had been examined.
She was not there.
He stood outside the maternity unit for several minutes before calling Rebecca Sloan.
“I won't ask where she is,” he said. “I only need to know whether she and the baby are safe.”
Rebecca was silent.
“Mr. Draven, your wife has asked that you not contact her.”
“I understand.”
“Then respect that.”
Matteo closed his eyes.
“I will.”
He ended the call.
May you like
For the first time, he did not send anyone to look for her.
He returned to the estate alone.
