Chapter 10 - THE SIGNATURE FROM THE GRAVE
Luciano stared at the transfer agreement in Richard's office.
The document appeared to transfer a portion of the estate's future income to a company connected to Adrian.
Isabella's signature was at the bottom.
But Isabella had died two years before the agreement's date.
“It's a forgery,” Luciano said.
“Possibly,” Richard replied. “We need a forensic examination. We also need to determine whether this was a draft, a fabricated instrument, or part of a larger scheme.”
The investigators took possession of the document.
They compared it with authenticated examples of Isabella's handwriting and examined its digital history. The early findings raised serious questions about its origin, but the full review would take time.
Meanwhile, Adrian's legal position became increasingly difficult. His communications suggested he had been involved in efforts to influence the estate's administration, but every allegation still needed to be tested against the evidence.
Celina agreed to cooperate and moved out of the city while her own role was examined.
Luciano focused on Ellie.
He canceled business trips, hired additional trusted caregivers, and established clear legal safeguards around the trust. He also began taking Ellie to a counselor who specialized in helping children process frightening family experiences.
For several weeks, the mansion grew quiet.
Ellie returned to school. She started laughing again. She slept with her bedroom door open and her teddy bear tucked beneath her chin.
One evening, she asked Luciano whether her mother could still see her.
He sat on the edge of her bed.
“I believe your mother would want you to feel safe and loved.”
“Would she be mad at you for almost letting Celina send me away?”
The question cut through him.
He took Ellie's hand.
“I think she would want me to learn from my mistakes. And I promise I will never ignore your fear again.”
Ellie considered that, then leaned against him.
He stayed beside her until she fell asleep.
For the first time in months, he allowed himself to imagine a future not controlled by suspicion.
Then the laboratory report arrived.
The signature on the transfer agreement was not a simple photocopy. The document appeared to have been assembled using genuine samples of Isabella's handwriting, but the date and authorization details were inconsistent with the verified records.
Someone had deliberately created a document meant to look authentic.
Investigators now had a new lead.
But the most disturbing discovery was in the file metadata.
The document had been created on a computer registered to a user account that belonged to someone inside Luciano's own estate office.
Someone who had access to the trust records.
Someone who knew Isabella's handwriting.
Luciano ordered an immediate review of every employee with access to the office.
Before the review could begin, Ellie came running into his study, holding a small photograph.
“Daddy, I found this in Mommy's old book.”
It showed Isabella standing beside a man Luciano recognized.
Adrian Cross.
But they weren't at a business meeting.
They were standing outside a courthouse, holding a document between them.
On the back, Isabella had written a date—six months before her death.
And beneath it were six words that made Luciano's blood run cold:
If Adrian returns, trust no one.
Luciano looked at his daughter, then at the photograph.
May you like
The threat to Ellie's inheritance might have begun long before Celina entered their lives.
And if Isabella had discovered the truth before she died, what had really happened in the final months of her life?
Related Stories
