Chapter 16 - THE FAMILY'S LAST DINNER|
Anselmo chose the Marchetti estate for the final confrontation.
He called it a family dinner.
Nobody believed him.
By seven in the evening, armed guards surrounded the property. The long dining table had been set with silver cutlery, crystal glasses, and white roses.
Clara stood at the entrance wearing a simple black dress.
She had refused to wear anything that belonged to Aurelio.
Edward, still recovering from his injury, waited in a secure vehicle outside with Margaret and Thomas.
Valentina had agreed to provide evidence against her father.
Matteo was already inside.
He looked remarkably like Aurelio, although his expression was colder.
"Clara," he said.
"Matteo."
He offered his hand.
"Thank you for coming."
"I'm not here for your family."
"I know."
Aurelio approached from the staircase.
He wore a black suit and no tie.
For a moment, their eyes met.
Then Clara looked away.
Anselmo entered the dining room.
"Wonderful. Everyone is here."
He smiled at Clara.
"You look lovely."
"Let's not pretend you invited me for dinner."
The old man laughed.
"Still sharp. I can see why Aurelio became attached to you."
Aurelio stepped forward.
"Don't speak about her."
Anselmo looked amused.
"Now you remember how to defend her?"
He took his seat.
Dinner began.
Nobody touched the food.
Anselmo poured himself a glass of wine.
"Let's discuss Bellara."
Clara placed a folder on the table.
"The original trust agreement."
Anselmo looked at it.
"Where did you get that?"
"My mother's records."
"Your mother was a foolish woman."
"She was braver than you."
His smile disappeared.
Anselmo turned toward Aurelio.
"You should have controlled her better."
Aurelio's expression hardened.
"She isn't mine to control."
"That's where your father made his mistake."
Matteo leaned forward.
"Enough."
Anselmo looked at him.
"You should be grateful I allowed you to return."
"You tried to have me killed."
"You were becoming difficult."
Valentina entered the dining room carrying a folder.
"My father says the same thing."
Anselmo stared at her.
"Sit down, Valentina."
"No."
She placed the folder beside Clara's documents.
"My father has agreed to cooperate with the investigators."
Anselmo's expression changed.
"Your father is a coward."
"Perhaps. But he has finally decided that prison is preferable to being murdered by you."
The room went silent.
Aurelio looked at his uncle.
"Where is the second ledger?"
Anselmo smiled.
"You still think this is about money."
He reached into his jacket and removed a photograph.
It showed Clara's mother standing beside Aurelio's father.
On the back was a handwritten note.
The original agreement was never signed.
Clara frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Anselmo leaned back.
"It means your claim to Bellara is not what you think it is."
He slid another document across the table.
It contained the original ownership contract.
Clara studied the signatures.
Her mother's signature was there.
So was her biological father's.
But the final signature was missing.
The signature of the person who had to approve the transfer.
Clara looked up.
"Who was it?"
Anselmo smiled.
"Edward Bennett."
Clara felt her heart sink.
"That's impossible."
"He was the only one who could make the transfer legal. And he refused."
Anselmo lifted his wineglass.
"Which means, my dear, that everything you've been fighting for may belong to me."
Then the dining room doors opened.
May you like
Edward Bennett entered.
And he was holding a gun.
