Chapter 8 - THE SECRET BEHIND THE GALLO FORTUNE
Rebecca Shaw followed the money.
It was what she did best.
The payments to Pietro Rossi were only the beginning.
Northbridge Consulting had transferred millions of dollars through a network of trusts and shell companies.
The money originated from Gallo Holdings.
But it didn't remain there.
It moved through accounts controlled by Leonard Vescari.
Then into real estate.
Private investments.
And a collection of offshore entities.
Rebecca discovered that Vescari had been stealing from the Gallo family for decades.
Not small amounts.
Not occasional payments.
Millions.
Agata's disappearance had served a purpose.
She had inherited a substantial share of her mother's estate.
As long as she was legally presumed dead, Vescari could manipulate the trusts connected to that inheritance.
Nora's existence complicated everything.
A living daughter meant a living heir.
Dante stared at the financial report.
“He stole her inheritance.”
Rebecca nodded.
“And used the supposed deaths to conceal it.”
Salvatore sat silently.
His face looked older than Nora had ever seen.
Nora turned toward him.
“Did you know?”
Salvatore looked up.
“No.”
She studied him.
“Did you ever tell Vescari to make Agata disappear?”
The old man's eyes filled.
“No.”
Agata stood beside the window.
For a long moment, she said nothing.
Then she whispered:
“I want to believe you.”
Salvatore lowered his head.
“So do I.”
Rebecca continued.
“There may be another reason Vescari kept Agata away.”
She opened a second folder.
“Agata had discovered irregularities in the family accounts shortly before she disappeared.”
Dante looked up.
“What kind?”
“Unauthorized transfers. Forged signatures. Altered trust documents.”
Nora felt cold.
Agata nodded slowly.
“I remember.”
Everyone turned.
She continued.
“I found documents in Leonard's office. I confronted him.”
Salvatore stared.
“And?”
Agata swallowed.
“He told me I didn't understand what I was looking at.”
She looked toward her father.
“Then he said you would never believe me.”
Salvatore closed his eyes.
Agata continued.
“I went to Pietro. He promised to help.”
Nora stared.
“My grandfather?”
Agata nodded.
“He was Daniel's father. He was the only person I trusted.”
Rebecca leaned forward.
“What happened next?”
Agata looked down.
“I was taken to a private clinic.”
The room went silent.
She continued.
“They told me I'd suffered a breakdown.”
Nora felt sick.
“And my baby?”
Agata began crying.
“They told me you died.”
Dante stood.
His chair scraped across the floor.
“Vescari.”
His voice was cold.
Salvatore looked at him.
“Sit down.”
Dante stared.
Salvatore continued.
“We are not going to make another generation pay for our anger.”
May you like
For the first time, Nora saw the old man choose restraint.
And she wondered whether it had taken him twenty-six years to learn how.
