Chapter 8 - The Account That Could Destroy Both Families
Samuel placed one last file on the engagement table.
“This is what the acquisition was really about.”
Adrian looked at him.
“What?”
“Account 902-VALE-RUSSO.”
Bianca’s father went still.
Samuel opened the file.
“After Giovanni died, control passed to Vale Private Bank.”
Adrian frowned.
“Why?”
“Because the account had two authorized trustees.”
“Giovanni.”
“And?”
Samuel looked at Bianca’s father.
“Him.”
Silence.
Adrian stared.
“You controlled my grandfather’s blackmail fund.”
Mr. Vale nodded.
“For four years.”
“What did you do with it?”
“I froze most transactions.”
“Most?”
“Yes.”
Samuel pushed forward another statement.
Transfers.
Large.
Recent.
Adrian read the names.
Consulting firms.
Political foundations.
Offshore entities.
His face hardened.
“You moved money last year.”
Mr. Vale said nothing.
Bianca whispered:
“Dad.”
Adrian looked at him.
“Why?”
“The acquisition.”
Adrian laughed quietly.
“You used dirty money to strengthen the bank before selling part of it.”
Mr. Vale’s face tightened.
“To prevent collapse.”
Samuel shook his head.
“To prevent accountability.”
Adrian’s mother stepped forward.
“That money included mine.”
“Yes.”
“And Adrian’s.”
“Yes.”
“And money taken from people Giovanni blackmailed.”
Mr. Vale looked down.
“Yes.”
Adrian picked up the engagement contract.
Bianca watched him.
He tore the acquisition appendix from the back.
Not the engagement page.
The business attachment.
Mr. Vale stared.
“What are you doing?”
Adrian looked at him.
“Ending your timing problem.”
He handed the financial file to Samuel.
“Can this be reported?”
Samuel nodded.
“Yes.”
“To whom?”
“Federal banking regulators.”
“Do it.”
Mr. Vale stepped forward.
“Adrian.”
“No.”
“You have no idea what this will do.”
Adrian looked at him.
“I know exactly.”
“The bank could fail.”
“Yes.”
“People will lose jobs.”
“Then you should have thought of them before moving stolen money.”
Silence.
Bianca looked at Adrian.
“What about us?”
He stared at the engagement contract.
Then at her.
“I don’t know.”
Her face broke.
“But I know this.”
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