Chapter 3 - THE SIGNATURE THAT WASN’T HIS
The red folder contained six documents.
Two board resolutions.
One merger authorization.
One emergency proxy form.
One spousal consent.
And one letter bearing Matteo’s signature.
He had signed none of them.
Bianca sat down.
“You don’t understand.”
Matteo held up the merger authorization.
“This transfers control of Bellandi Maritime to Arclight Holdings.”
“It’s a temporary structure.”
“Arclight is controlled by Vittorio.”
“He told me it was part of the family restructuring.”
Matteo looked at the forged signature.
“My name is on this.”
“I didn’t sign it.”
“But you knew it existed.”
Silence.
Elena pulled Mia close.
Dominic arrived with two guards.
Matteo handed him the folder.
“Scan every page. Send copies to outside counsel. Not Bellandi counsel.”
Dominic understood immediately.
Vittorio controlled too many internal lawyers.
Bianca folded her arms.
“And what happens to me?”
“You stay in the guest wing until your attorney arrives.”
“I am your fiancée.”
“Not anymore.”
She stared at him.
Then laughed.
“You think Elena saved you?”
Matteo looked at her.
“What does that mean?”
Bianca’s expression sharpened.
“She heard ten minutes of a conversation and thinks she discovered a conspiracy.”
Elena flinched.
Matteo noticed something.
“Elena.”
She looked at him.
“What else did you hear?”
Her face changed.
Bianca said, “Don’t.”
That one word was enough.
Matteo stepped closer to Elena.
“What else?”
Elena reached into her apron pocket and pulled out a brass key.
Old.
Scratched.
Stamped with the Bellandi crest.
“My husband gave me this before he died.”
“What does that have to do with tonight?”
She looked at Bianca.
Then back at him.
“Because Marco heard the same name six years ago.”
“Vittorio?”
May you like
Elena nodded.
“And three days later, my husband was dead.”
