Chapter 9 - The Bride Who Lied Under Oath|
Three days after the wedding, I walked into a Chicago courthouse wearing the only professional suit I owned.
It was navy blue, purchased for a job interview years earlier.
The sleeves were slightly too long.
My shoes were inexpensive.
And my hands trembled so badly that I had to hold my handbag with both of them.
Vanessa arrived wearing a tailored white coat and sunglasses that probably cost more than my monthly salary.
Her father walked beside her.
Anthony Bellini was a broad-shouldered man in his sixties, with silver hair and the calm expression of someone accustomed to getting his way.
When he saw Luca, he smiled.
“Son.”
Luca didn't respond.
Anthony's smile widened.
“Is that how you greet family now?”
Luca stared at him.
“You stopped being family the moment I learned what happened to my mother.”
Anthony leaned closer.
“Be careful what you accuse people of.”
Detective Torres stood near the courtroom entrance.
She stepped forward before Luca could answer.
“Mr. Bellini, everyone needs to proceed inside.”
Anthony looked at her with open irritation.
Then he walked away.
I was grateful.
Luca's attorney had requested emergency relief to prevent the demolition of the old restaurant while the disputed financial transactions were investigated.
Olivia Grant had also filed a civil complaint concerning the money Vanessa had diverted from the wedding budget.
The criminal investigation remained separate.
That distinction mattered.
A judge reviewing a property dispute couldn't simply declare Anthony guilty of a twenty-eight-year-old murder.
But the court could examine whether an asset was at risk of being destroyed while serious allegations of financial misconduct remained unresolved.
Inside the courtroom, Vanessa sat beside her attorneys.
She wouldn't look at Luca.
I sat behind him, holding a folder containing copies of the wedding invoices.
Frank was still recovering in the hospital.
He had insisted on attending, but Luca persuaded him to stay where the doctors could monitor him.
When the hearing began, Vanessa's lawyer argued that Bellini Development Holdings had lawfully acquired the property.
He claimed the building was unsafe and that the demolition was necessary.
Olivia stood.
“Your Honor, the alleged emergency is contradicted by the city's preliminary inspection.”
She presented the inspector's report.
Then she produced bank records documenting the transfer of Luca's wedding funds into Vanessa's company.
“This purchase was made, in substantial part, using money provided for an entirely different purpose.”
Vanessa shifted in her chair.
Her lawyer objected to the characterization of the transaction.
The judge asked Olivia to continue.
Olivia explained that the building contained potential evidence relevant to an active police investigation.
She described the hidden compartment, Elena's letter, and the suspicious demolition application.
Then she called me to provide testimony concerning what I'd personally witnessed.
I walked to the front of the courtroom.
Vanessa watched me with an expression of pure hatred.
After I was sworn in, Olivia asked about the wedding reception.
I described Frank waiting for cake.
I explained how Vanessa slapped the plate from my hands.
I told the court what Frank had said about selling Elena's ring and using his savings to pay for the reception.
Then Olivia asked about the night we went to the restaurant.
I described the demolition equipment, the hidden compartment, and the discovery of Elena's letter.
I carefully distinguished what I had witnessed from what other people had told me.
When Vanessa's attorney stood to question me, his expression changed.
“Miss Bennett, you've worked in the Moretti household for five years?”
“Yes.”
“And you're close to Mr. Moretti?”
“I work for his family.”
He glanced toward Vanessa.
“Isn't it true that you have personal feelings for your employer?”
My face burned.
“That has nothing to do with the restaurant.”
“Please answer the question.”
I looked at the judge.
Then I looked at Vanessa.
“I care about Mr. Moretti's family.”
“I've helped his father with his meals, appointments, and daily needs for years.”
“If treating an elderly man with dignity means I'm emotionally involved, then yes, I care.”
A quiet murmur moved through the courtroom.
The judge instructed everyone to remain silent.
Vanessa suddenly leaned toward her attorney and whispered something.
He asked another question.
“Wouldn't you agree that Mrs. Moretti has reason to believe you've interfered in her marriage?”
I took a breath.
“Mrs. Moretti didn't need my help damaging her marriage.”
“She did that when she took money meant for her wedding and used it to purchase a building her husband wanted to protect.”
Vanessa's face turned scarlet.
The judge reminded me to confine my answers to the questions asked.
I apologized immediately.
But I didn't take back the truth.
After further arguments, the judge issued a temporary order preventing demolition or material alteration of the restaurant while the parties returned with additional evidence.
The court also required preservation of relevant financial and property records.
It wasn't a final victory.
But the building would survive another day.
Outside, reporters gathered around Luca.
Someone had already posted footage of Vanessa throwing Frank's cake onto the floor.
The video was spreading rapidly online.
People were furious.
But Luca refused to turn his father's humiliation into a public spectacle.
He made only one statement.
“My father deserves peace, and my mother's death deserves a lawful investigation.”
Then he walked away.
I thought the worst part of the day was over.
I was wrong.
As we reached the courthouse parking area, Anthony Bellini stepped out from beside a black car.
Vanessa stood behind him.
Anthony looked at Luca and smiled.
“You think one letter and a frightened mechanic can destroy everything I've built?”
Luca said nothing.
Anthony opened a leather folder.
“Your mother was a curious woman.”
“Unfortunately, she wasn't the only person keeping secrets.”
He turned toward me.
“Ask your little housemaid what Ruth Bennett did after Elena died.”
My heart stopped.
Anthony's smile widened.
“Because Claire's mother took something that never belonged to her.”
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And then he said the words that made my blood run cold.
“That thing is worth more than your restaurant, Luca.”
