Chapter 6 - THE MAN WHO WANTED GIOVANNI SILENCED
Beatrice had not acted alone.
That became clear when Rebecca traced the suspicious payments to a consulting company connected to Vincent Moretti.
Vincent was Alessandro's cousin.
Forty-two.
Ambitious.
And deeply involved in the family's older business networks.
Vincent had been pushing Alessandro to sell several legitimate shipping assets and redirect capital into offshore investments.
Alessandro had resisted.
Giovanni had opposed the plan outright.
Now the financial records suggested Vincent had been using Beatrice to gain access to Giovanni's accounts and personal documents.
When Alessandro confronted Vincent, his cousin smiled.
“You're overreacting.”
Alessandro placed the records on the table.
“Explain them.”
Vincent glanced down.
“Household expenses.”
“Under my father's name?”
“He needed assistance.”
“Assistance with what?”
Vincent leaned back.
“Your father isn't the man he used to be.”
Alessandro's jaw tightened.
“He's still my father.”
Vincent smiled coldly.
“Then perhaps you should have been around more.”
The words landed because they were partly true.
Alessandro had been absent.
But that did not excuse exploitation.
He removed Vincent from access to estate finances pending investigation.
Vincent left furious.
That evening, Giovanni asked to speak with Alessandro privately.
“I warned you about Vincent.”
Alessandro nodded.
“I know.”
Giovanni looked down.
“He wants the old organization back.”
Alessandro's expression hardened.
“I won't allow it.”
Giovanni studied him.
“Then stop pretending you can keep one foot in that world and one foot outside.”
Silence.
Alessandro looked toward the garden.
Meline was helping the gardener move flowerpots before the rain.
She laughed at something he said.
The sound carried through the open window.
Giovanni followed his son's gaze.
Then smiled.
“She's good for this house.”
Alessandro looked away.
“Yes.”
Giovanni chuckled.
“Not what I meant.”
His son frowned.
“Dad.”
May you like
Giovanni laughed.
And for the first time in months, the old man looked mischievous rather than defeated.
Related Stories
