Chapter 12 - THE OTHER SIGNATURE
Marta plugged the flash drive into an isolated laptop.
The folder contained contracts, bank instructions, Vanessa's notes, and a spreadsheet tying North Harbor to Ethan's investor groups.
Then Marta opened the last image.
Julian stopped breathing.
It was a prenuptial side agreement.
Not the version his lawyer had reviewed.
This one contained an added clause transferring temporary management authority over Julian's Bellini voting shares to Vanessa upon marriage if Julian became "unavailable, impaired, or under investigation."
Cesare looked at him.
"Did you sign this?"
Julian stared at the signature.
"That's mine. But that page wasn't in the packet."
Marta enlarged the image.
"The signature page was detached and reused."
Rosa nodded. "I saw Ethan in the copy room cutting pages apart."
Julian sat down hard.
"They were going to frame me."
Cesare said nothing.
The scheme fit. Vanessa could pin the transfers on Julian, invoke the side agreement, and control his shares while he fought investigators.
Julian covered his face.
"I almost sent Elsie away for her."
Cesare's reply was quiet.
"That part was your choice. Don't use Vanessa to escape it."
Julian lowered his hands.
The shame remained.
His phone buzzed.
A message from Vanessa.
I know Ethan talked. Meet me alone at the Grand at noon. I have something you want.
Attached was a photograph.
Elsie's pink backpack sat on a hotel bed.
Beside it lay a sealed envelope marked with the name of Elsie's late mother:
EMILY BELLINI - PRIVATE.
Julian went rigid.
"Emily died three years ago."
Cesare read the message again.
May you like
At the bottom Vanessa had added one line.
Ask your father why he never gave you her letter.
