Chapter 8 - THE WOMAN WHO OWNED EVERYTHING
Janevra had spent her entire life being told she had no power.
By noon, she learned she owned an empire.
Her mother had placed forty-eight percent of Moretti Shipping into an irrevocable trust for Janevra before her death.
Victoriao controlled it only while Janevra remained unmarried.
The moment she married, voting authority transferred to her.
Her father had never told her.
Neither had his attorneys.
Neither had anyone.
"That's why he needed your marriage to Elio," the attorney explained.
"Your marriage activated the trust."
Janevra stared through the office windows at downtown Chicago.
"My father spent my entire life telling me I couldn't make decisions."
Elio stood behind her.
"He was afraid of what would happen when you realized you could."
She turned.
"Did you know?"
The silence answered first.
Janevra's chest tightened.
"Elio."
"I knew there was a trust."
"Since when?"
"Before the wedding."
She slapped him.
The sound cracked through the room.
Bruno looked away.
Elio didn't move.
"You married me knowing I owned the ports."
"Yes."
"So everything I overheard was true."
"No."
"You called our marriage strategic."
"It was."
Her eyes burned.
"And you let me spend three months believing I was nothing more than an obligation."
Elio's voice lowered.
"I couldn't tell you until I knew who had access to the trust documents."
"That isn't your decision!"
"I know."
The answer surprised her.
No argument.
No command.
Just regret.
Elio reached inside his jacket and placed an envelope on the desk.
Janevra opened it.
Her name appeared at the top.
Petition for annulment.
Already signed by Elio.
Her hand began to tremble.
"When did you prepare this?"
"The morning after our wedding."
She stared at him.
"Why?"
"Because if you ever learned the truth and wanted freedom, I wasn't going to make you beg me for it."
For three months she had believed Elio wanted her trapped.
He had secretly prepared the door.
May you like
But there was one handwritten note attached to the papers.
If she leaves, protect her anyway.
