Chapter 18 - THE LAST BALORI VOTE|
The courthouse was surrounded by reporters when Catherine arrived.
The hearing had been scheduled to determine whether the Balori family trust required temporary outside management while the financial investigation continued. Enzo intended to use the proceedings to portray Matteo as unstable and Catherine as an unfit future mother.
But the evidence had changed overnight.
Agent Lawson had obtained bank records linking Enzo to the waterfront transfers. Rose had given a sworn statement about the missing heir. Celeste had agreed to testify about the warehouse contract.
And Catherine had prepared a financial analysis that showed exactly how the money had been diverted.
Matteo walked beside her into the courthouse.
He wore a simple charcoal suit, without the expensive watch or the family crest he usually displayed at public events.
"Are you ready?" he asked.
"No."
He nodded.
"Neither am I."
It was the most honest thing he had said all morning.
Inside the courtroom, Enzo sat beside his attorney. He looked composed, almost bored.
When Catherine took the stand, he watched her with a faint smile.
His attorney began with questions about her marriage.
"You married Mr. Balori to resolve your father's business debts, correct?"
"Yes."
"You understood that the marriage was a financial arrangement?"
"At the beginning, yes."
"And you accepted the benefits of that arrangement."
"I accepted the marriage. I did not accept fraud, threats, or the attempted destruction of evidence."
The attorney shifted.
"You have accused my client of interfering with your pregnancy."
"I have presented documents showing that he requested access to my medical records and attempted to establish himself as an emergency decision-maker without my consent."
"Could you be mistaken?"
"I could be mistaken about someone's motive. I cannot be mistaken about the documents."
A few people in the gallery murmured.
Catherine continued.
"The financial records show that money was transferred through shell companies to purchase waterfront properties. Those transactions were authorized using an electronic signature that I never gave. The signature was copied from an obsolete system belonging to my father's company."
The attorney objected.
The judge overruled him.
Catherine explained the transfers in plain language, linking each transaction to a property acquisition and a public announcement by the Balori Foundation.
For the first time, the courtroom saw the pattern clearly.
When she finished, Agent Lawson presented the original contracts.
Then Celeste testified.
She admitted signing the warehouse agreement without verifying its purpose. She described Enzo's threats and identified the communications showing that he had ordered the building destroyed.
Enzo's composure began to fracture.
Finally, Rose took the stand.
The courtroom fell silent when she entered.
Enzo stood abruptly.
"This is absurd. That woman is dead."
Rose looked at him.
"No, Enzo. You simply needed everyone to believe I was."
She testified about the missing child, the threats against Matteo, and the years she spent living under another name.
The judge ordered a recess.
During the break, Matteo approached Catherine in the corridor.
"You were extraordinary."
"I was prepared."
He smiled sadly.
"Of course you were."
For a moment, the old warmth between them returned.
Then Catherine stepped away.
"Don't mistake this for forgiveness."
"I won't."
The hearing resumed.
The judge announced that the trust would be placed under independent supervision pending the criminal investigation. Enzo's authority was suspended, and the court issued an order preventing him from transferring or selling any of the disputed assets.
It was a major defeat.
But Enzo was not arrested.
He had arrived with an attorney and left through a private corridor before the warrant could be served.
Outside, reporters shouted questions.
Matteo shielded Catherine from the crowd without touching her.
A federal agent ran toward them.
"Mr. Balori!"
Matteo turned.
"What's happened?"
The agent held up a phone.
"Your uncle has contacted the press. He says he will release evidence proving you ordered the warehouse fire."
Catherine felt the ground shift beneath her.
Matteo looked at the screen.
The message contained a photograph of a signed document.
May you like
His signature was at the bottom.
And the date was six weeks before the gala.
