Chapter 9
Nico stared at the forensic report.
“I didn't forge it.”
Vittorio stood by the window.
“Your office.”
“Yes.”
“Your network.”
“Yes.”
“Your staff.”
“Yes.”
Nico’s breathing grew heavier.
“But not me.”
Vittorio turned.
Months earlier he would have decided from instinct.
Now he waited.
“Who had access?”
Nico named three people.
One was his executive assistant.
One was the records clerk.
The third was Bernadette.
She had used his office repeatedly during private family meetings.
Nico closed his eyes.
“She asked to print documents.”
Vittorio said nothing.
The betrayal was becoming more layered.
Nico had supported Bernadette.
Bernadette had also been using him.
The council petition was not merely designed to trigger a review.
With three signatures, it could authorize interim operational leadership during that review.
And the petition named a proposed interim head.
Nico Ferraro.
Nico read his own name.
His face changed.
“I never agreed to this.”
Bernadette laughed when shown the document.
“You signed the concern petition.”
“Not this.”
“You knew somebody had to hold the chair.”
“Not me.”
“Don't pretend humility now.”
Nico’s fist tightened.
Vittorio watched both of them.
For the first time, the balance shifted away from Bernadette.
Nico realized she had been positioning him as the visible replacement.
If the plan succeeded, every accusation of betrayal would land on him first.
Bernadette could remain the respected elder behind the transition.
Nico looked at Vittorio.
“I was supposed to be your replacement without knowing I had accepted.”
Vittorio's voice stayed low.
“You accepted enough.”
Nico flinched.
Then Maria entered carrying Luca’s paper chef hat.
She had found something tucked inside the folded band.
A small piece of paper covered with uneven purple marks.
Luca had drawn it after the first stomach episode.
Maria placed it on the table.
Vittorio recognized the shapes only after she explained them.
Three stick figures.
Bernadette.
Nico.
And another man.
May you like
Luca had seen someone else inside Bernadette’s car.
Someone nobody had accounted for.
