Chapter 7
Valentina did not believe Rebecca.
Not immediately.
Matteo had been Owen’s father.
He had died from pancreatic cancer when Owen was one.
Valentina remembered the final months too clearly.
Hospital rooms.
Medication schedules.
Matteo losing weight.
Matteo still insisting on reviewing family business from bed.
He had never told her he wanted her removed.
Rebecca brought the old meeting notes personally.
Matteo had asked a different question than Victor.
If Valentina ever decided to separate the conservatory from the Morello organization, could the board stop her?
Rebecca had answered no.
Matteo then asked whether Victor could temporarily assume authority if Valentina became unable to serve.
Valentina read the page twice.
Her throat tightened.
“Why?”
Rebecca shook her head.
“I don't know.”
Valentina looked toward the window.
Victor had just planted doubt inside her marriage from beyond the grave.
Exactly the kind of wound he knew would distract her.
Then Rebecca placed a second document on the desk.
“This was never submitted.”
A handwritten note from Matteo.
Not to the board.
To Victor.
If Valentina moves the conservatory out of family control after I'm gone, do not fight her publicly. There are reasons she may have to do it.
Valentina stopped.
The two pieces did not fit Victor’s version.
Matteo had asked about control.
But he had also warned Victor not to oppose Valentina publicly.
Rebecca exhaled.
“I think Matteo was trying to understand the board, not remove you.”
Valentina’s fingers rested over her husband’s handwriting.
Victor had taken a real fact and twisted its meaning.
Again.
That was his talent.
He rarely invented the entire lie.
He changed the frame.
Then Nolan called.
“We recovered audio from the conservatory donor microphones.”
Valentina stood.
Most donor microphones had been muted during the reception.
One near the bonsai exhibit remained active because technicians were testing it.
The recording began twenty minutes before Owen went into the pond.
Victor’s voice.
Celeste’s.
Victor:
“Once she loses control, don't argue. Let everyone see it.”
Celeste:
“And Owen?”
A pause.
Victor:
“He gets wet.”
Celeste laughed nervously.
Victor continued:
“Then you cry. I step in. She attacks me. That's all we need.”
Valentina’s eyes closed.
The plan was confirmed.
Then came another voice.
Male.
Unidentified.
“You sure the platform is still in?”
Victor answered:
“It doesn't matter.”
May you like
Valentina opened her eyes.
That sentence changed everything again.
