The Brother Who Owned Everything
Chapter 06 - The Brother Who Owned Everything
The emergency board meeting took place in a private dining room overlooking Manhattan.
Mason was not allowed inside, but he waited with Detective Brooks in the corridor. Through the glass doors, he saw Vincent at the head of the table and Elias seated alone at the opposite end.
Vincent had built Moretti Dining Group into a national empire after the fire. He controlled twenty-two restaurants, a hotel partnership, and a charity that trained young chefs. Newspapers called him the businessman who saved his grieving brother’s legacy.
Elias had created the food.
Vincent had learned how to own the story.
Inside the meeting, Vincent argued that Elias should be suspended until the identity claim was resolved. He presented articles about the hallway fire as evidence Elias attracted danger.
Elias presented the DNA report.
Several board members changed expression.
Vincent then produced a second document: Claire’s trust. If Luca Moretti survived, the boy would immediately gain voting rights through a court-appointed guardian. Vincent claimed Elias had recruited Mason to seize control.
When Elias stood, his voice carried through the glass.
“My son was stolen from me. You are discussing him as a percentage.”
Vincent replied calmly.
“I am discussing the survival of thousands of employees.”
Mason watched the board vote.
Elias was suspended from Bellamy House by a margin of one.
Afterward, Vincent approached Mason in the corridor.
“You have caused enough damage,” he said.
Mason looked at the expensive suit, the polished shoes, and the family face that resembled Elias without sharing any warmth.
“You signed the hospital transfer.”
“I signed what doctors placed in front of me.”
“You knew I was alive.”
Vincent leaned closer.
“You want to believe that because it makes your life simple. A villain, a lost father, a fortune waiting at the end. Real life is less generous.”
Elias stepped between them.
“Stay away from him.”
Vincent smiled.
“I am trying to save him from your obsession.”
Before leaving, he glanced at Mason’s backpack.
“The other half of the token will not help you.”
Mason froze.
He had never shown Vincent the broken silver token.
Elias heard it too.
Vincent realized his mistake, but only for a second.
“What token?” he asked.
Mason removed the half-circle stamped with the Bellamy crest.
“This one.”
Vincent walked away without answering.
Detective Brooks photographed the token and searched the company archives. It had been issued to private wine lockers in the original Bellamy House basement. Each token came in two matching halves: one for the owner, one for the restaurant.
Locker 17 belonged to Claire Moretti.
The restaurant’s half had disappeared the night of the fire.
Elias and Mason entered the basement with Dana under a court order. Locker 17 had no keyhole, only a narrow circular slot.
Mason placed Ruth’s half inside.
A mechanism clicked, but the door opened only one inch.
A second half was still required.
Someone else held it.
May you like
Behind them, a light switched off.
Footsteps moved through the dark cellar.
