Chapter 9 - THE PROTECTOR WHO CHANGED SIDES
Thomas Vale called Elena directly.
That was his first mistake.
She put him on speaker.
“Ms. Carter.”
“Where are you?”
“Safe.”
“Funny. That's not what I asked.”
I liked her more every minute.
Vale explained he hadn't changed sides.
He boarded the yacht to gather evidence.
Caterina authorized it.
My mother confirmed.
Again, everyone running private operations while apparently allergic to communication.
Vale had recorded Victor and William discussing “closing the bloodline issue” before my fortieth birthday.
“What does that mean?” Elena asked.
Vale hesitated.
“Legal disqualification if possible.”
“And if not?”
Silence.
I felt violence rise inside me.
Elena touched my arm.
One touch.
Enough.
“Where are they now?” I asked.
“Returning tomorrow.”
“Why?”
“Because they believe Sloane still intends to marry you.”
I looked at Sloane.
We had deliberately kept the canceled engagement private outside the restaurant circle.
Good.
We could use it.
Elena immediately said:
“No.”
I hadn't proposed a plan yet.
“No to what?”
“You're thinking of pretending the engagement is happening.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“Sloane can help.”
“She's standing here?”
“Yes.”
“That woman moves quietly.”
Sloane stepped closer.
“I've had practice.”
The plan was simple.
Announce the engagement privately to family insiders.
Let Victor and William believe the Barrett-Moretti merger remained alive.
Meanwhile, Patricia would file legitimate paternity actions with Elena's consent.
Once recognized, the boys' trust rights would activate.
Victor would lose financial leverage.
We needed him to move before that happened.
He did.
Too fast.
The evening before filing, one of the boys disappeared.
Enzo.
Five minutes.
That's all.
They were playing in Elena's aunt's fenced backyard.
Luca ran inside for juice.
When he returned, Enzo was gone.
Elena's scream will stay with me forever.
We locked roads.
Called state police.
No hiding from law enforcement.
No private family handling.
Every minute mattered.
Seven minutes later, Enzo was found.
Two blocks away.
Walking beside an elderly woman.
He hadn't been kidnapped.
He followed a dog through an open gate.
I nearly collapsed.
Then Enzo handed Elena a note.
“The lady said this was under the dog's collar.”
My blood went cold.
The note read:
WE COULD HAVE TAKEN HIM.
Underneath:
SIGN AWAY THE CLAIM.
Victor knew exactly where the boys were.
This wasn't about inheritance anymore.
It was coercion.
Then Patricia called.
Someone had filed a competing petition in Massachusetts court.
Claiming the four boys were not my sons.
The petitioner supplied a DNA report.
Four exclusions.
Four supposed tests.
May you like
Completely contradicting ours.
The laboratory listed on the report belonged to Barrett Medical Holdings.
