Chapter 7 - The Price of Protecting Lily|
I had never been afraid of losing my job as much as I was afraid of losing my mother.
She was sixty-three.
Her arthritis had become worse during the winter.
Some mornings, she struggled to open a jar or fasten the buttons on her coat.
I sent money home because I wanted her to be comfortable.
Not wealthy.
Just comfortable.
A warm apartment.
Groceries.
Medicine.
The ability to live without calculating whether she could afford another month's rent.
Now someone was using those ordinary needs to threaten me.
Luca read the message on my phone.
His expression hardened.
"Daniel."
The security chief approached.
"Yes?"
"Arrange protection for Rebecca's mother."
I immediately shook my head.
"Mr. Moretti, you don't have to—"
"Yes, I do."
His voice softened.
"Someone threatened her because you helped Lily."
My eyes filled.
"I don't want her frightened."
"Then we'll handle it discreetly."
Daniel nodded.
"I'll coordinate with local police and make sure she knows who to call."
I swallowed.
"Thank you."
Luca looked toward me.
"Rebecca, has Vanessa ever asked about your family?"
I nodded.
"Several times."
"What did she ask?"
"Whether my mother lived alone. Whether I needed overtime. Whether I could afford to lose a shift."
His face darkened.
"Anything else?"
I hesitated.
"Last week, she told me that people who depended on wealthy families should learn not to interfere."
For several seconds, Luca said nothing.
Then he looked toward Daniel.
"I want every employee who received threats from Vanessa interviewed."
Daniel nodded.
Luca turned back toward me.
"And Rebecca?"
"Yes?"
"You're on paid leave until we know everyone is safe."
My stomach dropped.
"Sir, I can't afford—"
"Paid leave."
He emphasized the words.
"Your salary continues."
I stared at him.
He continued.
"And if you'd prefer to stay somewhere away from the estate temporarily, we'll arrange that without affecting your employment."
Tears filled my eyes.
"Thank you."
He nodded.
But the fear didn't disappear.
Because I knew money alone couldn't repair what had happened.
Lily had been made to believe she was unwanted.
Eleanor had been kept away from her granddaughter.
Maria had carried a dead woman's secret for three years.
And somewhere in Chicago, powerful people were still trying to control money that belonged to a child.
That afternoon, Luca met with an independent attorney named Sarah Mitchell.
She arrived carrying several folders and a laptop.
Her manner was calm and precise.
She asked questions.
She listened.
And she didn't seem impressed by the Moretti family name.
I liked her immediately.
After reviewing the documents, she explained that Antonio's disputed agreements might be unenforceable.
Lily's trust had been created with restrictions.
Michael Whitmore had not possessed the authority to pledge its assets.
Any document claiming otherwise would need careful examination.
But there was a more immediate concern.
Patricia Reynolds had provided the copies Vanessa submitted to the school.
One included a signature purporting to be Luca's.
Another contained a supposed guardianship authorization.
Both appeared questionable.
Luca stared at them.
"I never signed those."
Sarah nodded.
"Then we'll have the signatures examined and notify the relevant authorities."
Luca leaned back.
"And Lily?"
"She remains in your care. No school placement or transfer should occur without proper authorization."
I felt relief move through me.
Luca looked toward the window.
"Good."
Then Sarah turned toward me.
"Rebecca, I understand Vanessa accused you of breaking Lily's hearing aid."
I nodded.
"Yes."
"Did she ever put that accusation in writing?"
I hesitated.
"She sent a message to the staff group."
Sarah looked interested.
"Do you still have it?"
I checked my phone.
There it was.
A message from Vanessa sent before dinner.
Rebecca damaged Lily's hearing aid while cleaning. Staff should not allow her to handle the child's medical equipment again.
I showed Sarah.
She studied the timestamp.
Then looked toward Luca.
"Interesting."
He frowned.
"What?"
"This was sent at four-thirty."
I nodded.
"Yes."
Sarah looked at me.
"When did you find Lily's hearing aid on the dining table?"
"About seven-fifteen."
"And when did Vanessa remove it?"
I thought carefully.
"Shortly before the first course."
Sarah nodded.
"So Vanessa accused you of breaking it hours before the alleged incident at dinner."
The room went silent.
Luca slowly looked toward me.
Then toward Sarah.
"She planned the accusation."
Sarah nodded.
"It appears consistent with that possibility."
I stared at the screen.
Suddenly, I understood.
Vanessa hadn't simply become angry when I helped Lily.
She had prepared a reason to discredit me before the dinner even began.
She knew I might interfere.
She knew Lily trusted me.
And she wanted Luca to believe I was careless.
My hands began shaking.
Luca noticed.
"Rebecca?"
I swallowed.
"She wasn't trying to stop me from fixing the hearing aid."
His expression changed.
I continued.
"She was trying to make sure nobody believed me when Lily said she didn't want to leave."
Silence.
Then Daniel entered the study.
His face was grim.
"Boss."
Luca turned.
"What?"
"We found something in Vanessa's private office."
He placed a folder on the desk.
Inside were photographs of Lily.
Her school schedule.
Her medical appointments.
Copies of her hearing-aid records.
And a draft letter addressed to a financial institution.
Sarah began reading.
Her expression hardened.
"What is it?" Luca asked.
She looked up.
"It's a request for information about releasing funds from Lily's trust to cover a residential placement."
Luca stared at her.
"How much?"
Sarah looked down.
Then answered.
"Four hundred and eighty thousand dollars."
My stomach dropped.
A boarding school placement.
A supposedly necessary transfer.
May you like
Nearly half a million dollars.
And someone had prepared the paperwork before Lily's uncle knew anything about it.
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