Chapter 8 - His Grandfather Had Chosen Alessio Before Victor Chose Sebastian

The bank opened at nine.

Alessio arrived at nine-oh-three.

Anthony went with him.

So did Maria.

Valentina did not.

She said the morning belonged to them.

Alessio appreciated that.

He did not say so.

The safe-deposit box was larger than expected.

Documents.

Account ledgers.

Old photographs.

A sealed envelope.

ALESSIO.

His grandfather’s handwriting.

Alessio opened it.

My grandson,

If you are old enough to read this, then I failed to leave you a cleaner name than the one I inherited.

Alessio stopped.

Anthony looked away.

He continued.

Victor believes power survives by making people afraid to leave.

I believe power survives only if people are free enough to stay.

Maria cried quietly.

The letter continued.

Your father thinks I do not know what he did for Victor.

I know.

Anthony closed his eyes.

I also know he is trying to undo it.

Alessio looked at him.

Anthony whispered:

“He never told me.”

Alessio kept reading.

If Anthony succeeds, help him build something legitimate.

If he fails, do not spend your life avenging him.

That is how Victor wins twice.

Alessio sat down.

The next page contained names.

Companies.

Trusts.

Properties.

All intended to be transferred into legitimate holdings.

Then one sentence.

Under no circumstances should Victor Hale or any member of his family receive controlling authority.

Anthony laughed bitterly.

“He knew.”

Maria whispered:

“And Victor rewrote everything.”

Alessio found another document.

A signed trust amendment.

His grandfather’s real version.

Alessio as beneficiary.

Anthony as temporary trustee until Alessio turned twenty-five.

No Sebastian.

No Hale family.

No security trustee.

Nothing.

Alessio stared.

“This changes the trust.”

Anthony nodded.

“It proves Victor’s version was forged.”

A bank attorney confirmed the signature.

Witnessed.

Notarized.

Filed privately.

Valentina called.

Alessio answered.

“What happened?”

Her voice was tense.

“Victor’s lawyer filed an emergency petition.”

“For what?”

“To freeze Moretti Holdings.”

Anthony shook his head.

Alessio asked:

“On what basis?”

Valentina hesitated.

“That you are mentally compromised.”

Alessio laughed.

“Because my dead parents are alive?”

“Yes.”

“And who signed the medical declaration?”

Silence.

“Valentina.”

“My father.”

Alessio stopped laughing.

“What?”

“He signed it six months ago.”

Anthony stared.

Alessio’s voice dropped.

“Dr. Cross declared me unstable six months ago?”

“No.”

Valentina spoke quickly.

“He signed a blank emergency capacity form.”

Alessio closed his eyes.

“Why?”

“Victor threatened to expose the clinic.”

Anthony muttered something under his breath.

Valentina continued.

“My father thought it would only be used if you were physically incapacitated.”

“And he trusted Victor.”

“Yes.”

Alessio looked at Anthony.

“Everyone keeps signing blank things for monsters.”

Anthony had no defense.

Valentina whispered:

“Dad is at the courthouse now withdrawing it.”

“Too late.”

“I know.”

“Where are you?”

“At the estate.”

“Why?”

“Sebastian came back.”

Alessio went still.

“Is he armed?”

“No.”

“Is Victor there?”

“No.”

“What does Sebastian want?”

Valentina’s answer surprised him.

“To testify.”

Anthony looked at him.

Alessio asked:

“Against his father?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“He found something in Victor’s private safe.”

“What?”

“A recording.”

Alessio looked at the grandfather’s letter in his hand.

“What recording?”

Valentina whispered:

“Victor admitting the false funeral was never about your parents.”

Silence.

“What was it about?”

“He needed you legally orphaned.”

Alessio stared.

“Why?”

“So your grandfather’s voting shares could be managed by an outside guardian.”

Anthony understood first.

“Victor.”

Valentina said:

“Yes.”

Alessio’s face hardened.

“He didn’t separate me from my parents because they were dangerous.”

“No.”

“He made me alone because it gave him control.”

“Yes.”

Alessio folded his grandfather’s letter.

Then picked up the real trust.

“We’re coming back.”

Anthony looked at him.

“To the estate?”

“No.”

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Alessio’s eyes hardened.

“To court.”