Chapter 18 - THE PRICE OF A NAME
Vittorio was convicted on multiple fraud and conspiracy charges, along with charges tied to Marco’s death.
Bellandi Global paid restitution, removed automatic family succession from the board, and separated its charities from family control. Directors resigned, executives were charged, and the stock recovered more quickly than the Bellandi name.
For the first time in generations, Bellandi was not automatically treated as a synonym for strength.
Matteo found that strangely healthy.
Bianca’s sentencing came later.
She apologized to Elena.
Not publicly.
Not through a press statement.
In a monitored room.
“I was afraid of losing everything,” Bianca said.
Elena looked at her.
“So you decided I could lose everything instead.”
Bianca lowered her head.
“Yes.”
“You threatened my daughter.”
“I know.”
Elena’s voice sharpened.
“No. You know the sentence. You don’t know the fear.”
Bianca cried.
Elena did not comfort her.
She also did not insult her.
She simply stood.
“I hope you become someone who never does that again.”
Then she left.
Outside, Matteo waited.
“How are you?”
Elena gave him a tired look.
“That is a very rich-man question.”
He blinked.
Then laughed.
“What should I ask?”
“Do I need anything today?”
“Do you?”
“A coffee.”
“That I can do.”
She smiled for the first time in weeks.
Elena had accepted a job with a boutique hotel group in Boston as assistant operations manager.
A position she earned after Sofia discovered Elena had studied hospitality management before Mia was born.
Matteo gave a reference.
Nothing more.
Instead, the court-ordered restitution from Marco’s case funded Mia’s education trust.
Money from the people responsible.
Not gratitude owed to the Bellandis.
On Elena’s final day at the estate, Matteo found Mia sitting by the service entrance drawing.
Same place as years before.
“What are you drawing?”
“A house.”
“Whose?”
“Ours.”
She had drawn herself and Elena.
Then, off to one side, a man holding white roses.
Matteo smiled.
“Who is that?”
Mia looked at him like he was slow.
May you like
“You.”
Then she added, “But you dropped them.”
