Chapter 5: The Vote That Took Everything
Dante chased the man through the passage while Alessandro remained beside Fatima and Amara.
“Take them to the east apartment,” Alessandro told the housekeeper.
“Two guards at the door—men you personally know.”
Genevieve caught his arm.
“You are turning your home into a fortress over a toy.”
“A toy someone tried to take.”
Silvio glanced toward the corridor.
“Whatever is on that card can be handled privately.”
“That means you know what it contains.”
“It means scandal helps no one.”
Dante returned alone, rain shining on his jacket.
“He escaped through the delivery gate.
Someone opened it remotely.”
“Can you read the card?” Alessandro asked.
“It is encrypted.”
Genevieve picked up her champagne flute from a counter.
“Then perhaps it contains nothing.”
Dante held the card beneath the light.
“It carries an Ashworth Security serial number.”
Genevieve’s fingers tightened around the stem.
“My father’s firm supplies half the surveillance equipment in Chicago.”
“Including toys?” Alessandro asked.
Silvio checked his watch.
“The board is waiting in the library.”
“For what?”
“To approve the trust.”
Alessandro stared at him.
“There will be no vote.”
“The meeting was called legally.
Your presence is optional.”
They entered the library to find seven board members seated around the long table.
A physician Alessandro recognized from the family clinic sat beside the corporate attorney.
“What is Dr.
Vale doing here?” Alessandro asked.
The attorney opened a folder.
“Mr.
Rienzi, concerns have been raised regarding your fitness to exercise sole voting authority.”
Genevieve touched Alessandro’s arm.
“Please remain calm.”
He pulled away.
“You arranged this.”
“I tried to protect you.”
“From what?”
“From the episodes you refuse to acknowledge.”
Dr.
Vale adjusted his glasses.
“I received records documenting insomnia, paranoia, and violent impulses.”
“I have never been your patient.”
“The records bear your authorization.”
Dante leaned over the papers.
“That signature is copied.”
The attorney shook his head.
“Until an independent review, the emergency provision allows the board to suspend Mr.
Rienzi’s authority.”
Silvio sat at the head of the table.
“All in favor?”
Three hands rose immediately.
Genevieve raised hers next.
Alessandro looked at her engagement ring.
“You planned to marry me tomorrow.”
“I planned to keep you from destroying yourself.”
A fifth hand rose.
The attorney closed the folder.
“The motion passes.”
Silvio slid a document across the table.
“Effective immediately, your company accounts, security command, and voting rights are frozen.”
Dante’s phone buzzed.
He read the screen and placed it facedown.
“My access has been revoked.”
Silvio looked toward the guards at the doors.
“Escort Mr.
Rienzi from the library.”
Alessandro did not move.
“You forged medical records, used my signature, and erased evidence.”
Genevieve leaned close enough that only he could hear her.
“Make a scene, and Fatima will be accused of planting that device.
Her daughter will be dragged through an investigation she cannot afford.”
Alessandro’s face emptied.
“You would use a three-year-old.”
“I am offering you a peaceful exit.”
Silvio pushed the legacy trust toward him.
“Sign tonight.
Retain your home, a generous allowance, and the public title of chairman.”
“And if I refuse?”
“The board will disclose your family’s entire history,” Silvio said.
“Every alliance your father made.
Every favor you inherited.”
Genevieve placed a pen beside Alessandro’s hand.
“You wanted legitimacy.
Sign, and we let you keep the appearance of it.”
Alessandro picked up the pen.
Fatima appeared in the doorway with Amara beside her.
“Mr.
Rienzi, don’t.”
A guard reached for Fatima, but one board member stood.
“Let her speak.”
Silvio struck the table with his palm.
“She has no standing here.”
Amara lifted her lamb and looked at Genevieve.
“The phone man said Uncle Silvio’s name.”
Silvio’s face turned gray.
May you like
Then Amara pointed at the physician.
“And that man was in the hallway too.”
