Chapter 7 - The Fortune Hidden Behind Her Silence

“Thirty-two percent.”

Tomas pushed the financial statement across the desk.

Santiago stared at the figure.

Thirty-two percent of Castellano Freight Holdings had been placed in Sophia's trust under a legal arrangement created shortly before Alessandro died.

Not a token inheritance.

A controlling share when combined with certain voting agreements.

For seven years, Santiago had believed he managed the entire company through family holdings. In reality, Sloane had been exercising votes on Sophia's behalf while collecting management fees.

“Why didn't anyone tell me?” Santiago asked.

“Because the trust documents weren't among the records transferred to your office. Sloane handled them separately.”

“And the doctors?”

Tomas laid out payment histories.

Vale's clinic had received substantial consulting money from companies connected to Sloane. The invoices referenced Sophia's long-term incapacity and the need for continued supervision.

Santiago understood the structure now.

Not every silence was caused by fear.

Some people profited from it.

He called an independent attorney named Elena Brooks, whose firm had no connection to the Moretti organization.

She reviewed the records that afternoon.

“The trust might be legitimate,” she said, “but the exercise of its voting rights is questionable. More importantly, your sister's ability to make her own decisions must be assessed independently.”

“Can Sloane move the money?”

“Not freely. But he may have exercised substantial authority under the existing documents. We'll need an accounting.”

Santiago nodded.

“Get it.”

At dinner, Sophia sat beside Ruby while the staff served food.

Mrs. Delaney approached carrying a folder.

“Mr. Sloane has sent forms for Miss Sophia's annual medical review.”

Santiago did not touch them.

“Leave them with my attorney.”

“The deadlines are important.”

“Then my attorney will appreciate receiving them promptly.”

Mrs. Delaney kept her expression composed.

But Sophia suddenly dropped her fork.

Ruby looked at her.

Sophia was staring at the folder.

Not its papers.

Its cover.

Dark green leather, with a gold clasp.

The same design she remembered in Vale's hands on the night of the crash.

She signed urgently to Ruby.

That folder.

Ruby asked Mrs. Delaney to set it down.

The housekeeper hesitated.

Santiago held out his hand.

“Give it to me.”

Mrs. Delaney complied.

Inside were forms requesting confirmation that Sophia remained incapable of giving reliable instructions about her property.

Attached was a letter from Victor Sloane.

The review needed to be completed before Friday.

Today was Wednesday.

Santiago looked at Mrs. Delaney.

“Why the urgency?”

“I was told the court required it.”

Elena Brooks checked the docket that evening.

No court had ordered an urgent review.

But Sloane had filed a petition seeking authority to extend his control over the trust.

The hearing was scheduled for Friday morning.

And in the petition was a declaration bearing Sophia's name.

It stated that she did not understand financial matters and wished Victor Sloane to remain responsible for her decisions.

Sophia read the sentence slowly.

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Then she signed to Ruby.

I never said that.