Chapter 10
Inside was the name of a Swiss bank, an account number, and a list of dates. The final entry had been made two days before my father died.
I looked at my mother.
“Why did you keep this from me?”
“Because Adrian searched for it. I was afraid that if he knew I had it, he would hurt you through the business.”
“He already hurt us.”
“I know.”
Her voice broke.
I placed the notebook beside the letter.
“I’m not angry that you were afraid.”
“You should be angry.”
“I am angry at what happened. That isn’t the same as being angry at you.”
She looked at me for a long moment.
“I thought you would hate me for signing those papers.”
“I hate that you were made to sign them while grieving.”
“I signed them.”
“You were deceived.”
“I should have asked questions.”
“So should I.”
She reached for my hand.
This time, I took it before she had to ask.
A little while later, the independent attorney arrived. Her name was Clara Mendes, a discreet woman in her fifties who had handled complex estate disputes for families outside our circle. Rocco brought her to the study, where Adrian sat near the fireplace with untouched tea beside him.
Vivien was not present.
Clara reviewed the agreement, the ledger, my father’s letter, and the financial documents. She asked questions without raising her voice, requesting dates, names, account numbers, and sources.
Adrian answered some. On others, he claimed not to remember.
When she reached the pages showing the property transfers, she studied the signatures carefully.
“These should be examined by a forensic specialist,” she said.
“I agree,” I replied.
Adrian’s jaw tightened.
“You’re treating old business matters as a criminal investigation.”
“They may be.”
“They are not.”
Clara looked at him.
“Then you have nothing to fear from verification.”
He did not answer.
The review continued for nearly two hours. By the end, Clara had identified enough inconsistencies to recommend immediate legal action. The ledger contained detailed notes matching several transfers, including dates and account numbers that no longer appeared in the official records.
It also contained names.
Some belonged to lawyers who had retired. One belonged to an accountant who had died. Two were connected to shell companies Adrian had claimed were independent.
Clara closed the ledger.
“You have a strong basis for an injunction preventing further transfer of the remaining properties,” she said. “The bank account may also provide resources for litigation and restitution.”
“And Adrian?”
“That will depend on the investigation.”
Adrian rose.
“You have no right to hold me here.”
“You’re free to leave,” I said. “But you will receive formal notice from counsel tomorrow morning.”
He looked at Vivien’s empty chair.
“She will regret turning against me.”
I felt the old anger stir, but I let it pass.
“She turned toward the truth.”
Adrian’s face hardened.
“You think she did it for noble reasons?”
“No. I think people can act badly and still choose differently later.”
For the first time, he looked uncertain.
Clara gathered the documents.
“Mr. Vale, if you leave the city or attempt to transfer any assets, the court will consider that relevant.”
Adrian said nothing.
Rocco escorted him to the entrance.
Through the window, I watched him cross the drive and enter a waiting car. He did not look back at the house.
When the car disappeared beyond the gates, the estate seemed to exhale.
Not peacefully.
Only honestly.
Vivien was waiting in the small sitting room near the kitchen when I found her. She had changed into a gray sweater and sat with her hands wrapped around a cup of tea.
Elena stood nearby, uncertain whether to stay.
Mia was on the floor with Mrs. Bell, arranging wooden blocks into a tower. She looked up when I entered and smiled.
May you like
The sight eased something in me.
“May I speak with Vivien?” I asked.
