Chapter 11 - THE EMPIRE SHE NEVER WANTED
Vanessa Russo had spent her entire life believing Anthony was her father.
Now Penelope knew he had lied about everything.
Her birth.
Her mother.
Her inheritance.
Even her name.
Dominic examined the trust documents.
"My father established the ownership arrangement before his death."
Penelope looked at him.
"Why would your father leave my sister nearly half his company?"
Dominic hesitated.
"Because Sophia wanted to protect Isabella's children."
"That still doesn't explain the size of the inheritance."
Gabriel opened another file.
"The shares were transferred as compensation for assets Anthony stole from the Russo family."
Penelope frowned.
"My father owns a bakery."
Dominic shook his head.
"Your grandfather owned several commercial properties before Anthony forged ownership transfers."
Penelope stared.
"All these years, Dad struggled to pay rent on a building that should have belonged to him?"
Dominic nodded.
"The bakery was part of the stolen portfolio."
Anger rose in Penelope's chest.
Anthony hadn't simply destroyed their family.
He had profited from their suffering.
"Then we're getting everything back."
Dominic looked at her.
"That's exactly what we're going to do."
At the theater, investigators moved into position.
Penelope remained in a secure command vehicle nearby.
Dominic entered through the front doors with Lorenzo.
Anthony stood beneath a broken chandelier.
Behind him, Frank and Vanessa sat beside Isabella.
Anthony smiled.
"Dominic. Always punctual."
"Let them go."
"Not until you surrender the trust."
Dominic placed a folder on the table.
"Everything you asked for."
Anthony opened it.
Then his smile disappeared.
The documents were copies.
Attached was a notice explaining that the trust's ownership records had been preserved and reported to federal authorities.
"You think paperwork will stop me?"
Dominic answered calmly.
"No. The people waiting outside will."
Anthony reached beneath his jacket.
Lorenzo moved immediately.
"Don't."
A tense silence followed.
Then Vanessa stood.
"Father, please."
Anthony turned toward her.
"Sit down."
She shook her head.
"My name isn't what you told me it was."
Anthony's expression changed.
"What?"
Vanessa lifted her chin.
"I know Isabella is my mother."
For the first time, Anthony looked afraid.
Then Vanessa revealed something nobody expected.
"I also know why you took me."
Penelope watched through the live security feed.
Vanessa continued.
"You needed my fingerprints to access the trust."
Anthony stepped backward.
"Be quiet."
She reached into her pocket.
"I copied every document you made me sign."
Anthony lunged forward.
A loud crash echoed through the theater.
The camera image shook.
Then the feed went black.
Penelope screamed.
"Vanessa!"
Seconds later, Lorenzo's voice came through the radio.
"Boss is down."
May you like
Penelope's heart stopped.
Dominic had been shot.
