Chapter 9 - The Subpoena from Vanessa's Father and the Custody Trap Nobody Saw Coming
By Monday afternoon, we were back at the Chicago estate, though the atmosphere had entirely changed. The broken stained-glass window in the foyer was already being replaced by master craftsmen, and federal investigators had seized every computer and document belonging to the Bellini shipping conglomerate.
We were gathered in the sunny conservatory overlooking the private rose garden when Dante walked in with an official federal envelope bearing the seal of the Illinois Superior Court.
"Boss," Dante said, handing the document to Luca. "It's not from Vanessa. It's from Marco Bellini's personal legal counsel."
Luca unfolded the heavy parchment paper, his eyes scanning the legal jargon. As he read, the muscles in his jaw tightened into steel bars.
"What does it say?" I asked, setting down Noah's cup of apple juice.
"Marco is filing a formal emergency deposition," Luca said coldly. "He's claiming that because my estate was targeted by international mercenaries due to my ongoing business conflicts, my home environment is 'a clear and present danger to a minor.'"
Noah stopped tracing his cane handle, his lower lip trembling. "Are they going to take me away, Daddy? Are they going to send me to that school in Switzerland?"
"Never," Luca said fiercely, dropping to one knee in front of his son and pulling him into his arms. "Nobody is taking you anywhere, buddy. Your grandfather is just lashing out because his company is collapsing."
Luca looked up at me, his expression grim. "The deposition hearing is tomorrow morning at ten o'clock. Marco's lawyers have subpoenaed every staff member in this house—including you, Hannah."
"Me?" I gasped.
"Yes. They want to put you on the stand and cross-examine you about what you saw during the past thirteen months. They're going to try to prove that because I work long hours, you—the housekeeper—are actually raising my son, making me an unfit single father."
I swallowed hard, feeling the immense weight of the moment. I thought about the months of quiet suffering Noah had endured, the way Vanessa had tried to break his spirit, and how Luca had stood by his son when no one else would.
May you like
"Put me on the stand," I said firmly, meeting Luca's gaze without hesitation. "I'll tell the judge every single thing Vanessa did, and I'll tell them how you protected us."
***
Related Stories
