# CHAPTER 15 — THE SUCCESSION TRUST
The estate doctor stabilized Teresa in a guarded bedroom.
The second bullet had missed her and lodged in the wall.
Matteo had vanished through the servant tunnel.
Bruno’s men found his car still in the garage.
His phone lay crushed near the eastern gate.
Alejandro unfolded the document Teresa had carried.
It was part of a private family trust created by Salvatore Moretti.
The first page named Kiara as the principal beneficiary.
The second stated that if Alejandro died before Kiara reached eighteen, temporary voting authority would pass to her legal guardian.
The guardian’s name had been removed.
Not crossed out.
Cut from the paper.
Lucia studied the signatures.
“Matteo witnessed this.”
“So did Dr. Reed,” Bruno said.
Reed examined the bottom of the page.
“My signature is forged.”
“Everyone’s evidence is planted,” Bruno replied.
Gabriel scanned the document.
“The original may exist in the family legal archive.”
“Who controls that archive?” Alejandro asked.
Lucia answered reluctantly.
“Nico.”
Alejandro’s cousin arrived thirty minutes later with five attorneys and ten private guards.
Nico Bellini entered the study smiling as if he had come for dinner.
“I heard rumors of your death.”
“Many people did.”
Nico looked at the marks on Alejandro’s neck.
“Disappointing rumors.”
Bruno searched Nico’s ring.
It matched the one in the footage.
Nico showed no concern.
“Every Moretti crest ring matches.”
“Where were you at four twenty-three?”
“Flying from Miami.”
Flight records confirmed his private jet had been airborne.
“Who is Kiara’s legal guardian?” Alejandro asked.
Nico’s smile disappeared.
“She is dead.”
“Answer the question.”
Nico glanced at Lucia.
“Our grandfather named Lucia.”
Lucia stared at him.
“That is a lie.”
Nico opened his briefcase and removed a certified trust document.
The guardian section contained Lucia Moretti’s name.
Alejandro looked at his sister.
“I never saw this,” Lucia said.
Nico placed another document beside it.
A recent court petition requested that Alejandro be declared medically unfit.
If approved, Lucia would gain control of Kiara’s trust without Alejandro needing to die.
Lucia read the filing.
Her own signature appeared at the bottom.
“It’s forged.”
Nico leaned back.
“Of course.”
Lucia slapped him.
Nico laughed quietly.
Then Gabriel’s computer sounded an alarm.
A live signal had activated from the forgotten camera network.
The screen showed Kiara’s hidden apartment.
Matteo entered the room.
He was not alone.
A man with a bandaged face followed him.
Mara gasped.
She recognized the man despite the scars.
“Daniel.”
Her missing husband looked directly toward the camera.
Then he held up a sign.
DO NOT LET ALEJANDRO FIND KIARA.
Daniel turned the paper over.
May you like
The second message was worse.
HE IS THE REASON SHE WAS TAKEN.
