Chapter 10 - THE BUSINESSMAN WHO LOST HIS EMPIRE
The financial investigation eventually uncovered a network of fraudulent transactions connected to companies controlled by Vittorio Moretti and Daniel Bellamy.
Funds intended for construction and nonprofit supply projects had been diverted through intermediaries.
Invoices were falsified.
Equipment and material deliveries were misrepresented.
And several employees who questioned the records had faced pressure to remain silent.
Margaret Carter's notebook helped investigators identify transactions requiring deeper examination.
Lucia Moretti's files provided earlier context.
Helen Reeves's preserved documents supported additional inquiries.
Together, the records showed how the suspected scheme developed over several years.
The investigation into Lucia's death was reopened.
Authorities reviewed the vehicle collision, witness accounts, and new information about the threats she'd reported.
The inquiry into Margaret's death also examined whether she had been threatened before her fatal medical emergency.
Neither investigation assumed foul play without evidence.
But the financial misconduct was increasingly clear.
Vittorio and Bellamy faced charges connected to fraud and obstruction.
Ryan became the subject of further investigation regarding financial exploitation, intimidation, and his role in attempting to recover records from the Carter family.
Alessandro cooperated with the appropriate authorities.
He also authorized an independent review of his own businesses.
The process was painful.
Several companies had relied on questionable relationships.
Some contracts were terminated.
Others were placed under external oversight.
Alessandro stepped away from criminal operations and accepted that lawful restructuring could involve financial and legal consequences for decisions he'd previously made.
His wealth decreased.
His influence weakened.
Some longtime associates abandoned him.
Others accused him of betraying the Moretti name.
But he continued.
One evening, Marco found him sitting alone in the library.
The desk was covered with documents.
A half-finished meal sat beside his laptop.
"You need to eat," Marco said.
Alessandro looked up.
"You're beginning to sound like Mrs. Bennett."
Marco smiled faintly.
"She's usually right."
Alessandro sighed.
Then closed the file.
Marco sat opposite him.
"Do you regret it?"
"What?"
"Letting investigators examine the business."
Alessandro considered the question.
"No."
"Even with everything we're losing?"
He looked toward Lucia's photograph.
"For six years, I told myself my sister died because she refused to stay out of family affairs."
His voice softened.
"But she was trying to expose wrongdoing."
Marco nodded.
"And I treated her courage like disobedience."
Silence followed.
Alessandro looked down.
"I can't bring her back."
"No."
"But I can stop pretending the system she questioned was worth protecting."
Marco leaned back.
For several moments, neither spoke.
Then he asked, "And Elena?"
Alessandro looked up.
"What about her?"
Marco smiled.
"You've been smiling at your phone."
Alessandro frowned.
"Have I?"
"Frequently."
He sighed.
Marco laughed.
"I've known you since you were twenty. I've never seen you look this confused about a woman."
Alessandro shook his head.
"It's complicated."
"Of course."
"She's been through enough. I don't want her to feel obligated to me."
Marco nodded.
"Then don't make it an obligation."
Alessandro looked toward the window.
He thought of Elena at the courthouse.
Her quiet smile.
The way she'd said she felt free.
He wanted to protect that freedom.
Even if it meant she never chose him.
Then his phone vibrated.
A message from Elena.
I passed the first interview for the hospital family-support coordinator program.
Alessandro smiled.
He typed:
Congratulations. You deserve it.
A moment later, she replied:
Thank you. And Sophie passed her exam.
He laughed softly.
Please tell her congratulations too.
Another message appeared.
She says you owe her a celebratory pizza.
Alessandro stared.
Then laughed.
For years, people approached him with fear or elaborate demands.
Now a nineteen-year-old nursing student was demanding pizza.
May you like
And he found himself happier about that than he had been about most multimillion-dollar deals.
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