Chapter 15 - What Victor Planned
The plan was disguised as a medical emergency.
Victor had collected Luca’s medications, allergies, travel schedules, even the name of the paramedic company contracted for Moretti events.
The target date was three months away.
After Luca’s death, Evelyn would inherit under the public will, but the voting shares would move into Victor’s management trust because there were supposedly no biological heirs.
Evelyn read the file with a shaking hand.
“My father knew about this?”
The federal agent looked uncomfortable. “We don’t know yet.”
Her phone rang before she finished the sentence.
Minutes later, we had the answer.
Senator Whitmore had been arrested in Washington.
Evelyn sat down slowly.
Luca looked at her. “I’m sorry.”
She laughed, but tears ran down her face. “Don’t be. I spent half my life apologizing for that man.”
I sat beside her.
For a strange moment, the ex-wife and the current wife held hands while the man between us stood helplessly nearby.
Life has a sense of humor. Sometimes it is cruel. Sometimes it is exactly what you need.
The media storm hit before dinner.
MORETTI ADVISER ARRESTED IN SUCCESSION CONSPIRACY.
SENATOR WHITMORE DETAINED.
MYSTERY CHILDREN LINKED TO BILLIONAIRE CEO.
That last headline made me furious.
“They are not mystery children,” I said.
Luca’s publicist looked terrified. “We can request privacy.”
“Request?” I snapped. “They are five.”
Luca stepped in. “No photographs. No names. No confirmation until Nia approves.”
The publicist nodded and fled.
I looked at Luca.
“Thank you.”
“It shouldn’t require thanks.”
“No. It shouldn’t.”
That night, I went home to tell Micah and Mila the truth in words a five-year-old could survive.
Luca waited downstairs.
I told them that the man from the restaurant was someone important from our family.
Micah frowned. “Like Uncle Marcus?”
“More important to you.”
Mila studied my face.
Then she asked, “Is he our dad?”
May you like
I stopped breathing.
Before I could answer, Micah whispered, “I knew it.”
