Chapter 19 - THE WOMAN ELEANOR REALLY CHOSE
|
The second beneficiary was listed as Amelia Rose Moretti.
Nobody in the family recognized the name.
Arthur examined the document under a magnifying glass. The signature was genuine, but the additional entry appeared to have been added later.
The attorney sent it for forensic analysis.
Meanwhile, Vivian remained missing.
Investigators searched her known properties, questioned former employees, and traced the companies connected to the trust. They discovered that Vivian had transferred a significant amount of money into an account controlled by a woman living in New York.
The account holder was Amelia Rose Moretti.
The name had been used for more than twenty years.
Vincent looked at the records.
"Is she a relative?"
Arthur shook his head.
"Not one I know."
Evelyn sat beside him, pale and exhausted.
Then she spoke.
"Amelia was the name Vivian wanted to give her daughter."
Everyone turned toward her.
Evelyn explained that Vivian had been pregnant shortly before she disappeared from Chicago. The family had been told that the baby had died, but no birth or death certificate could be found.
"Vivian believed Richard had stolen her inheritance," Evelyn said. "She wanted her daughter to inherit what she thought was rightfully hers."
"Was the child real?" I asked.
Evelyn nodded.
"I saw her once. She was a baby."
The attorney found a sealed envelope among Eleanor's surviving papers.
Inside was a letter dated twenty-five years earlier.
If Vivian returns, remember that her daughter is not responsible for her mother's choices. Amelia deserves the truth, even if the truth destroys the family that concealed it.
Arthur lowered the letter.
"Eleanor knew."
"She knew the child might have survived," Evelyn replied. "She wanted to find her, but Vivian disappeared before she could."
Vincent looked at me.
"Then the second beneficiary may be Vivian's daughter."
"Which means she could have a legitimate claim to part of the estate," I said.
The attorney nodded.
"Depending on the trust's terms and the authenticity of the amended agreement."
For the first time, I understood why Vivian had targeted the bracelet so desperately.
She had not merely wanted money.
She had wanted to restore her daughter to the family while ensuring that nobody could challenge the claim.
But her methods had destroyed the very trust she hoped to reclaim.
Three days later, a woman arrived at Rosewood.
She was in her late twenties, with dark hair and a quiet, guarded expression.
She introduced herself as Amelia Rose.
"I received a message telling me to come here," she said. "It said my mother had finally been found."
Arthur stood.
"Who is your mother?"
Amelia looked at him.
"Vivian Moretti."
Evelyn covered her mouth.
Vincent stared at the woman.
"Where has she been?"
Amelia shook her head.
"I haven't seen her in years. She contacted me only when she needed something. She told me our family had stolen my inheritance."
She placed a folder on the table.
"But I found something in her apartment before I left."
Inside were copies of the trust documents, bank statements, and a recording.
Amelia pressed play.
Vivian's voice filled the room.
If they ever discover what happened to Richard, tell them the truth about the accident.
A pause followed.
Then Vivian said something that made Arthur stand abruptly.
I wasn't the one driving.
The recording ended.
Amelia looked at us.
"My mother told me she was protecting someone else that night."
Vincent's face had gone pale.
"Who?"
Amelia opened the folder and removed a photograph.
May you like
It showed Richard Moretti beside a young man.
A man who looked remarkably like Vincent.
