Chapter 9 - THE MAN BEHIND THE LIES
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Victor Moretti.
Dante's uncle.
The man who had spent decades attempting to seize control of the Moretti family's businesses.
Aurora stared at the paused video.
“Why would my mother hide that?”
Dante played the recording again.
Elena explained that Victor had once promised to leave his criminal associations behind.
She had loved him.
But when she discovered that he was using Northstar Capital to conceal illegal transactions, she tried to protect her daughter by disappearing.
Lorenzo had helped them.
He had agreed to let the world believe Aurora was his child.
It was a dangerous deception.
And it had apparently saved Aurora's life for years.
Dante's expression darkened.
“My father protected you.”
Aurora wiped away a tear.
“And your uncle wanted to find me.”
“Not merely find you.”
Dante turned to Evelyn.
“Check the trust's ownership conditions.”
Evelyn began reviewing the original agreement.
Then she went pale.
“Dante, the trust has a controlling ownership provision.”
“What provision?”
“When Aurora turns thirty, she receives voting control over Northstar Capital.”
Aurora frowned.
“I'm twenty-nine.”
“When is your birthday?” Evelyn asked.
“Friday.”
Silence filled the room.
Three days.
That was all.
In three days, Aurora would legally gain control over assets Victor had allegedly been using for years.
Unless someone could make her disappear first.
Dante's phone rang.
An unfamiliar number appeared.
He answered without speaking.
A familiar male voice chuckled.
“Nephew.”
Dante's expression turned murderous.
“Victor.”
“I'm glad you've finally met Aurora.”
Dante glanced at her.
Victor continued.
“But I'm disappointed you opened Elena's box.”
“What do you want?”
“Bring my daughter to me.”
Aurora shook her head violently.
Dante's voice remained cold.
“She's not going anywhere.”
May you like
Victor laughed.
“Then perhaps you'd like to know why Braden Whitlock is standing outside her bakery with a can of gasoline.”
