Chapter 12
The legal consequences were less dramatic than the Moretti family expected and more serious than Margaret expected.
There had been dozens of witnesses to the assault.
Emma’s injuries were documented.
Margaret’s age did not erase what she had done.
Her lawyer negotiated while Laura maintained the protective order.
Margaret also lost access to the children through the family itself.
Vincent removed her from every Moretti charitable board, family committee, and legitimate company position she still held.
No ceremonial title.
No private meetings with younger relatives.
No authority over household staff.
Margaret called it exile.
Vincent called it boundaries.
Some relatives protested.
One accused Vincent of choosing “an adopted child over his own sister.”
Vincent looked at him.
“I’m choosing a three-year-old over an adult who knocked her onto the floor.”
The man tried another argument.
“She was protecting David’s future.”
“David has a mother.”
“He’s a Moretti.”
“So is Emma.”
“Legally.”
Vincent stood.
The meeting ended there.
Within a week, that relative no longer had access to either child.
Vincent also changed something bigger.
The legitimate Moretti businesses would no longer use family lineage as an unofficial succession system.
Professional executives would run them.
Relatives could work there if qualified.
Nobody inherited authority simply by being born.
Several older men hated it.
David heard about the complaints.
He surprised Vincent by laughing.
“Good.”
Vincent raised an eyebrow.
David shrugged.
“I want to go to college without somebody telling me it’s training for taking over.”
“What do you want to study?”
“I have no idea.”
May you like
Vincent smiled.
For the first time, that sounded like freedom rather than irresponsibility.
