Chapter 7: The Heir Bianca Tried## Chapter 7: The Heir Bianca Tried to Erase
Alessandro didn't move.
For to Erase
Alessandro didn't move.
For several seconds, he simply stared at the young man standing in the corridor, as though he were looking at a ghost wearing his several seconds, he simply stared at the young man standing in the corridor, as though he were looking at a ghost wearing his dead brother's face.
“Prove it,” Alessandro said.
The young man nodded.
“I expected dead brother's face.
“Prove it,” Alessandro said.
The young man nodded.
“I expected you to say that.””
He removed a second photograph from his jacket and placed it on the hallway table. It showed Daniel Moretti standing beside a woman with dark hair, holding you to say that.””
He removed a second photograph from his jacket and placed it on the hallway table. It showed Daniel Moretti standing beside a woman with dark hair, holding a newborn wrapped in a blue blanket.
The woman was smiling.
Daniel was crying.
On the back, someone had written, My family, before I lost everything.
Alessandro picked up the photograph with trembling a newborn wrapped in a blue blanket.
The woman was smiling.
Daniel was crying.
On the back, someone had written, My family, before I lost everything.
Alessandro picked up the photograph with trembling fingers.
“Where did you get this?””
“My mother kept it in a box. Bianca took the box when I was a child, but she missed this one. I found it hidden inside fingers.
“Where did you get this?””
“My mother kept it in a box. Bianca took the box when I was a child, but she missed this one. I found it hidden inside an old book after I moved out.””
“Who was the woman?””
“My biological mother. Her name was Elena Bell.””
I watched Alessandro's face.
“Daniel never mentioned an old book after I moved out.””
“Who was the woman?””
“My biological mother. Her name was Elena Bell.””
I watched Alessandro's face.
“Daniel never mentioned an Elena.””
“Maybe he didn't have time.””
The young man looked down at his hands.
“According to the records I found, she died shortly after I was born. Daniel died a few months later. I was placed with an Elena.””
“Maybe he didn't have time.””
The young man looked down at his hands.
“According to the records I found, she died shortly after I was born. Daniel died a few months later. I was placed with a temporary guardian, and then Bianca took me in.””
Alessandro frowned.
“Why would Bianca take responsibility for my brother's son?””
“Because she told everyone she was doing it out of kindness a temporary guardian, and then Bianca took me in.””
Alessandro frowned.
“Why would Bianca take responsibility for my brother's son?””
“Because she told everyone she was doing it out of kindness.””
His voice hardened.
“She told me my parents were dead and that my uncle had abandoned me. She said the Moretti family was ashamed of me.””
Alessandro looked as though he'd been struck.
“I never knew you existed.””
“I know.””
“Then why didn't you contact me.””
His voice hardened.
“She told me my parents were dead and that my uncle had abandoned me. She said the Moretti family was ashamed of me.””
Alessandro looked as though he'd been struck.
“I never knew you existed.””
“I know.””
“Then why didn't you contact me?””
The young man gave a bitter smile.
“Because I believed you were the reason my father was dead.””
Alessandro's face went rigid.
“What?””
“Bianca told me Daniel died trying to protect me from you. She said you wanted him?””
The young man gave a bitter smile.
“Because I believed you were the reason my father was dead.””
Alessandro's face went rigid.
“What?””
“Bianca told me Daniel died trying to protect me from you. She said you wanted him to give up his rights to the family business, and when he refused, you cut him off.””
“That is a lie.””
“I know that now.””
The young man took a breath.
“I didn't to give up his rights to the family business, and when he refused, you cut him off.””
“That is a lie.””
“I know that now.””
The young man took a breath.
“I didn't come here to accuse you. I came because Bianca made a mistake.””
“What mistake?””
“She thought I'd stay silent forever.””
He opened his jacket and removed come here to accuse you. I came because Bianca made a mistake.””
“What mistake?””
“She thought I'd stay silent forever.””
He opened his jacket and removed a small digital recorder.
“Everything she said to me during the last month is on here.””
Alessandro motioned toward the study.
“Let's a small digital recorder.
“Everything she said to me during the last month is on here.””
Alessandro motioned toward the study.
“Let's hear it.””
We moved inside. Livia remained beside her nanny, watching us with wide eyes until Alessandro promised he would return shortly.
Once the door closed, the young man placed the recorder on the desk.
“My name is Daniel Alexander More hear it.””
We moved inside. Livia remained beside her nanny, watching us with wide eyes until Alessandro promised he would return shortly.
Once the door closed, the young man placed the recorder on the desk.
“My name is Daniel Alexander Moretti,” he said.
“But Bianca made me use Adrian Bell for most of my childhood. When I turned eighteen, she gave me a new identity and told me to stay awaytti,” he said.
“But Bianca made me use Adrian Bell for most of my childhood. When I turned eighteen, she gave me a new identity and told me to stay away from the Moretti family.””
I looked at him sharply.
“Adrian Bell?””
He nodded.
“I later changed my name to Adrian Cole. I wanted a life that had nothing to do with her.””
Alessandro leaned forward from the Moretti family.””
I looked at him sharply.
“Adrian Bell?””
He nodded.
“I later changed my name to Adrian Cole. I wanted a life that had nothing to do with her.””
Alessandro leaned forward.
“Then who was the man who called himself Adrian Cole yesterday?””
The young man hesitated.
“Marcus Vane's business partner. He stole my identity when I was younger. Bianca used him to approach you because she knew I'd recognize the name and might finally come forward.””
I felt dizzy.
“So the.
“Then who was the man who called himself Adrian Cole yesterday?””
The young man hesitated.
“Marcus Vane's business partner. He stole my identity when I was younger. Bianca used him to approach you because she knew I'd recognize the name and might finally come forward.””
I felt dizzy.
“So the man who visited us wasn't the real Adrian Cole.””
“No. My real name is Daniel, but I used Adrian for years. The man you met had access man who visited us wasn't the real Adrian Cole.””
“No. My real name is Daniel, but I used Adrian for years. The man you met had access to my old documents.””
Alessandro's expression darkened.
“And you let him use your identity?””
“I didn't know until recently. Bianca had been monitoring to my old documents.””
Alessandro's expression darkened.
“And you let him use your identity?””
“I didn't know until recently. Bianca had been monitoring me for years. When I discovered what she was doing, I started collecting evidence.””
He pressed the recorder's play button.
Bianca's voice filled the study.
*You owe me everything, me for years. When I discovered what she was doing, I started collecting evidence.””
He pressed the recorder's play button.
Bianca's voice filled the study.
You owe me everything, Daniel.
A man's voice answered.
You told me I was protecting the family.
You were protecting yourself. Don't pretend otherwise.
Then came a pause.
What happens to Livia? Daniel.*
A man's voice answered.
You told me I was protecting the family.
You were protecting yourself. Don't pretend otherwise.
Then came a pause.
What happens to Livia? the man asked.
Bianca laughed softly.
*Once Alessandro believes she's not his daughter, he won't protect her the same way. He'll be too busy questioning Rosalie to notice the trust the man asked.
Bianca laughed softly.
Once Alessandro believes she's not his daughter, he won't protect her the same way. He'll be too busy questioning Rosalie to notice the trust documents.
The recording continued.
And if he refuses to believe the test?
Then we send the girl away. Her father will be forced to accept the arrangement when he realizes how documents.
The recording continued.
And if he refuses to believe the test?
Then we send the girl away. Her father will be forced to accept the arrangement when he realizes how much trouble she's causing.
I felt my hands turn cold.
Daniel stopped the recording.
“That was recorded three days ago.””
Alessandro's face was expressionless.
much trouble she's causing.*
I felt my hands turn cold.
Daniel stopped the recording.
“That was recorded three days ago.””
Alessandro's face was expressionless.
“Why didn't you bring this to the police?””
“I tried. Bianca had people following me. I needed proof that connected her to the forged documents, the boarding school“Why didn't you bring this to the police?””
“I tried. Bianca had people following me. I needed proof that connected her to the forged documents, the boarding school application, and the laboratory.””
He slid a second folder across the desk.
Inside were photographs of bank transfers, copies of emails, and a document showing that Bianca had attempted application, and the laboratory.””
He slid a second folder across the desk.
Inside were photographs of bank transfers, copies of emails, and a document showing that Bianca had attempted to gain control of a family trust established by Daniel Moretti.
Alessandro studied the papers.
“Daniel's trust was never transferred to gain control of a family trust established by Daniel Moretti.
Alessandro studied the papers.
“Daniel's trust was never transferred to me.””
“Because Bianca convinced the trustees that my father had no legitimate heir.””
“That was never true.””
“I know. But she had a document claiming Daniel had voluntarily surrendered his interest in the estate before he died.””
Al to me.””
“Because Bianca convinced the trustees that my father had no legitimate heir.””
“That was never true.””
“I know. But she had a document claiming Daniel had voluntarily surrendered his interest in the estate before he died.””
Alessandro stared at the signature.
It was unmistakably his brother's handwriting.
“Where did you get this?””
“From Marcus's office.””
“Is it authentic?””
“No. The signature wasessandro stared at the signature.
It was unmistakably his brother's handwriting.
“Where did you get this?””
“From Marcus's office.””
“Is it authentic?””
“No. The signature was copied from an old letter.””
Alessandro closed the folder.
“So Bianca spent twelve years trying to erase my brother's son.””
Daniel's eyes filled with anger.
“She didn't just erase me. She made sure I grew up believing I was copied from an old letter.””
Alessandro closed the folder.
“So Bianca spent twelve years trying to erase my brother's son.””
Daniel's eyes filled with anger.
“She didn't just erase me. She made sure I grew up believing I was worthless.””
For a moment, I saw the frightened child beneath the young man's controlled expression.
I thought of Livia, who had spent the previous day believing her father might send her away.
The same cruelty.
The same deliberate destruction of a child's sense of worthless.””
For a moment, I saw the frightened child beneath the young man's controlled expression.
I thought of Livia, who had spent the previous day believing her father might send her away.
The same cruelty.
The same deliberate destruction of a child's sense of belonging.
I stepped closer to Daniel.
“Why did you come here today?””
He looked at me.
“Because I found something in Bianca's files about Livia.””
He pulled out a sealed envelope.
On the front were three words.
The second birth record.
Alessandro opened it.
Inside belonging.
I stepped closer to Daniel.
“Why did you come here today?””
He looked at me.
“Because I found something in Bianca's files about Livia.””
He pulled out a sealed envelope.
On the front were three words.
The second birth record.
Alessandro opened it.
Inside was a copy of Livia's birth certificate, followed by a second document bearing a different name.
The child's date of birth was seven years earlier.
The mother's name was Rosalie Bennett.
But the father's name had been changed.
Daniel Alexander Moretti.
I was a copy of Livia's birth certificate, followed by a second document bearing a different name.
The child's date of birth was seven years earlier.
The mother's name was Rosalie Bennett.
But the father's name had been changed.
Daniel Alexander Moretti.
I stared at the page.
“That isn't possible.””
Daniel shook his head.
“It's a forgery. Bianca created it six weeks ago.””
Alessandro looked up.
“Why?””
“Because she needed a way to make the paternity test look convincing. She planned to stared at the page.
“That isn't possible.””
Daniel shook his head.
“It's a forgery. Bianca created it six weeks ago.””
Alessandro looked up.
“Why?””
“Because she needed a way to make the paternity test look convincing. She planned to claim that Livia was secretly Daniel's daughter, not yours.””
The room fell silent.
I could hardly breathe.
“She wanted you to believe I had lied about Livia's father claim that Livia was secretly Daniel's daughter, not yours.””
The room fell silent.
I could hardly breathe.
“She wanted you to believe I had lied about Livia's father?””
“Yes,” Daniel said.
“She intended to destroy your relationship, make you question Rosalie's loyalty, and convince you that Livia had no legal claim to your protection.””
Alessandro crushed the document in his hand.
“She was willing to destroy a child's life to steal a fortune.””
Daniel nodded.
?””
“Yes,” Daniel said.
“She intended to destroy your relationship, make you question Rosalie's loyalty, and convince you that Livia had no legal claim to your protection.””
Alessandro crushed the document in his hand.
“She was willing to destroy a child's life to steal a fortune.””
Daniel nodded.
“But there's one more thing.””
He opened the folder to a page marked with a red tab.
“This is the original report from the laboratory. The sample labeled as yours was taken from Daniel's old medical records. The sample labeled as Livia's came from a different child.””
Alessandro stared at the page.
“Which child?””
Daniel looked at me.
“But there's one more thing.””
He opened the folder to a page marked with a red tab.
“This is the original report from the laboratory. The sample labeled as yours was taken from Daniel's old medical records. The sample labeled as Livia's came from a different child.””
Alessandro stared at the page.
“Which child?””
Daniel looked at me.
“I don't know yet. But Bianca was searching for someone who could pass as Livia's biological relative.””
My stomach tightened.
“Why would she need that?””
“Because the trust documents“I don't know yet. But Bianca was searching for someone who could pass as Livia's biological relative.””
My stomach tightened.
“Why would she need that?””
“Because the trust documents require an independent family verification if the heir's identity is challenged.””
Alessandro stood.
“Then we obtain a new test. Properly require an independent family verification if the heir's identity is challenged.””
Alessandro stood.
“Then we obtain a new test. Properly. Today.””
Daniel nodded.
“I've already contacted a laboratory that can conduct an independent analysis.””
Alessandro looked at him for a long moment.
Then he extended his hand.
Daniel stared at it before taking. Today.””
Daniel nodded.
“I've already contacted a laboratory that can conduct an independent analysis.””
Alessandro looked at him for a long moment.
Then he extended his hand.
Daniel stared at it before taking it.
“I should have known you existed,” Alessandro said.
“You couldn't protect me from something you didn't know about.””
“I should have searched.””
Daniel's voice it.
“I should have known you existed,” Alessandro said.
“You couldn't protect me from something you didn't know about.””
“I should have searched.””
Daniel's voice softened.
“You were grieving your brother. Bianca made sure you believed there was nothing left to search for.””
Alessandro released his hand.
“We'll deal with the past later. Right now, we protect Livia.””
He opened the study door.
Livia was standing just outside softened.
“You were grieving your brother. Bianca made sure you believed there was nothing left to search for.””
Alessandro released his hand.
“We'll deal with the past later. Right now, we protect Livia.””
He opened the study door.
Livia was standing just outside, holding her stuffed rabbit.
She looked at Daniel cautiously.
“Are you the man who knows Bianca?””
Daniel knelt.
“Yes.””
“Are you going to hurt me?””
His face, holding her stuffed rabbit.
She looked at Daniel cautiously.
“Are you the man who knows Bianca?””
Daniel knelt.
“Yes.””
“Are you going to hurt me?””
His face crumpled.
“No, sweetheart. Never.””
Livia studied him.
Then she glanced at Alessandro.
“Daddy, is he family?””
Alessandro looked at his nephew.
“Yes,” he crumpled.
“No, sweetheart. Never.””
Livia studied him.
Then she glanced at Alessandro.
“Daddy, is he family?””
Alessandro looked at his nephew.
“Yes,” he said quietly.
“He's your cousin.””
Livia considered this.
Then she held out her stuffed rabbit.
“His ear is broken. Mommy says we said quietly.
“He's your cousin.””
Livia considered this.
Then she held out her stuffed rabbit.
“His ear is broken. Mommy says we can fix it.””
Daniel accepted the toy with shaking hands.
“Thank you.””
For the first time since entering the estate, he smiled.
But the moment lasted only a few seconds.
His phone vibrated.
He looked at the screen, can fix it.””
Daniel accepted the toy with shaking hands.
“Thank you.””
For the first time since entering the estate, he smiled.
But the moment lasted only a few seconds.
His phone vibrated.
He looked at the screen, and all the color drained from his face.
“What's wrong?”” I asked.
He turned the phone toward us.
A message had arrived from an unknown number.
It contained a photograph of Livia standing beside her school bus and all the color drained from his face.
“What's wrong?”” I asked.
He turned the phone toward us.
A message had arrived from an unknown number.
It contained a photograph of Livia standing beside her school bus.
Beneath it were seven words.
If you want the truth, bring the original birth certificate.
And the message ended with a name.
*Bianca.*
.
Beneath it were seven words.
If you want the truth, bring the original birth certificate.
May you like
And the message ended with a name.
*Bianca.*
