Chapter 5 - The Man Who Sold His Loyalty
Daniel had disappeared from the estate after his suspension.
His phone went unanswered.
His apartment was empty.
And the bank account connected to the recent transfer had been closed before Sebastian's attorney could obtain the full transaction history.
But Sebastian knew Daniel's habits.
For fifteen years, Daniel had maintained a small office above an old restaurant on the South Side. He used it whenever he wanted privacy away from the mansion.
Sebastian went there alone.
The office door was unlocked.
Daniel sat behind a desk covered in papers.
He looked up when Sebastian entered.
For a moment, neither man spoke.
Then Daniel slowly stood.
“Sir.”
“Don't call me that.”
Daniel lowered his eyes.
Sebastian placed the bank records on the desk.
“Two million dollars. Explain.”
Daniel stared at the papers.
“I can explain.”
“Then start talking.”
Daniel sank into his chair.
“Thomas Sterling created the account years ago. After he died, the account continued receiving payments from companies connected to the old Romano businesses.”
“Payments for what?”
“I don't know.”
Sebastian leaned forward.
“You expect me to believe you managed the transfers without knowing where the money came from?”
Daniel's face tightened.
“I knew the account existed. I didn't know who controlled the companies behind it.”
“Then why did you sign the trust documents?”
Daniel rubbed his hands together.
“Vanessa told me the trust was legitimate.”
“You signed medical records claiming my father ate meals he never received.”
“I know.”
“You blocked his calls.”
Daniel's eyes filled.
“I know.”
Sebastian slammed his hand against the desk.
“Then tell me why!”
Daniel flinched.
For several seconds, he looked as though he might refuse to answer.
Then he reached into a drawer and removed a photograph.
It showed Daniel standing beside Thomas Sterling at a business dinner.
On the back was a handwritten message.
Keep the family together, and no one loses what matters.
Daniel pushed it across the desk.
“Thomas helped pay for my daughter's medical treatment twelve years ago. She had a serious illness. My insurance wouldn't cover everything.”
Sebastian stared at him.
“Thomas paid?”
“He said it was a loan. Later, he told me I could repay him by helping protect certain family interests.”
“And you agreed.”
“I thought I was helping your father.”
Daniel's voice cracked.
“When Thomas died, Vanessa took over the arrangements. She told me the money was part of an old family settlement. I didn't question it because I was afraid of losing my daughter's treatment.”
Sebastian stared at him.
“So you let my father suffer to protect yourself.”
Daniel lowered his head.
“Yes.”
The admission was quiet.
It was also devastating.
Sebastian had expected excuses, perhaps even a desperate attempt to escape blame.
He hadn't expected the truth to be so ordinary.
Fear.
Money.
A man convincing himself that one small compromise wouldn't matter.
Then another.
Then another.
“Where is the money going now?” Sebastian asked.
Daniel swallowed.
“Vanessa said it was being moved into a private holding company. She promised that once the trust was approved, everything would be settled.”
“Who controls the company?”
Daniel shook his head.
“I don't know.”
Sebastian studied him.
“Then you will help us find out.”
Daniel nodded.
“I will.”
“And you'll give a full statement to the authorities.”
Daniel's face went pale.
“I could go to prison.”
“You may.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
Sebastian leaned forward.
“My father could have died. You don't get to decide that the consequences are too inconvenient.”
Daniel nodded slowly.
Then he reached into his jacket and produced a flash drive.
“There's something else.”
Sebastian took it.
“What?”
“Vanessa kept copies of the original trust documents. But she also had a separate file containing correspondence with someone she called the beneficiary.”
“Who?”
Daniel shook his head.
“I never saw a full name.”
Sebastian stared.
“Where is the file?”
“On a secure server. I can help your attorney access it.”
Sebastian turned toward the door.
“Then do that.”
Daniel's voice stopped him.
“Sebastian?”
He looked back.
“I'm sorry.”
Sebastian stared at the man who had once carried him on his shoulders through the mansion gardens.
“Being sorry doesn't undo what you did.”
Daniel lowered his head.
“I know.”
Sebastian left without another word.
That evening, Clara found him sitting alone in the dining room.
“Your father is asking for you,” she said.
Sebastian looked up.
“Is something wrong?”
“He wants to talk about the original trust.”
Sebastian stood immediately.
In Antonio's bedroom, his father was holding a sealed envelope.
“I think it's time you knew the whole truth,” Antonio said.
Sebastian sat beside him.
Antonio placed the envelope in his hand.
Inside was a copy of the original agreement.
But this time, Sebastian noticed a clause he hadn't seen before.
A provision concerning the death of Richard Romano.
And a sentence that changed everything.
If evidence establishes that Richard Romano's death was connected to the concealment of family assets, the trustee shall suspend all transfers pending a full investigation.
Sebastian stared at the page.
Then looked at his father.
“Dad, are you telling me Uncle Richard may not have died in an accident?”
Antonio's eyes filled.
“I'm telling you that I never believed the investigation was complete.”
Before Sebastian could answer, Clara appeared at the doorway.
She was holding a tablet.
“Mr. Romano?”
Sebastian turned.
“What's wrong?”
Clara swallowed.
“Your attorney just sent a message.”
She placed the screen in front of him.
The message contained a photograph of Vanessa Sterling.
She was standing outside a private airport terminal.
Beside her was a man Sebastian hadn't seen in eleven years.
Richard Romano.
May you like
Alive.
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