Chapter 6 - Carlo’s Debt
The original trust was only the beginning.
A forensic audit followed.
Three days later, Matteo received the preliminary numbers.
Carlo owed approximately $6.8 million.
Not personally to a bank.
To entities connected to Russo Family Holdings.
For five years, Carlo had used shell companies to fund luxury condominium developments.
When projects failed, Viola moved money between family accounts to hide the losses.
Matteo stared at the report.
“This is why Dad changed everything.”
Samuel nodded.
“And why Viola needed voting control.”
“If Luca’s trust controls fifty-one percent, Carlo can be removed.”
“Yes.”
“And an independent audit can be authorized.”
“Yes.”
Elena sat across the table.
“So Viola wasn’t trying to protect the company.”
Samuel answered.
“She was protecting Carlo.”
Matteo laughed without humor.
“Same thing to her.”
The board meeting was scheduled for Friday.
Before it happened, Carlo appeared at Matteo’s house.
Matteo saw him through the security camera.
Purple bruising still marked Carlo’s jaw.
Matteo opened the door but didn’t let him inside.
“What?”
Carlo stared at him.
“Mom says you found Dad’s box.”
Matteo said nothing.
Carlo laughed nervously.
“Come on, Matt.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“We’re brothers.”
“You held my fourteen-month-old son over an open flame.”
“I wasn’t going to drop him.”
Matteo stepped forward.
Carlo stepped back.
“That sentence is supposed to help you?”
Carlo swallowed.
“Mom told me Elena was going to ruin everything.”
“Mom told you.”
“She said we only needed her signature.”
“So you terrorized my wife.”
“I was trying to scare her.”
“You scared a baby.”
Carlo’s arrogance finally broke.
“I’m in trouble.”
Matteo stared at him.
“There it is.”
Carlo lowered his voice.
“The projects collapsed.”
“You stole millions.”
“I borrowed it.”
“You forged authorizations.”
“Mom handled those.”
Matteo’s expression changed.
Carlo realized immediately that he had said too much.
“Wait.”
Matteo pulled out his phone.
“You should leave.”
Carlo stared at it.
“You recording me?”
Matteo didn’t answer.
Carlo stepped backward.
“Matteo.”
“You’re finished.”
May you like
The same words from the courtyard.
Only now Carlo understood they meant much more than a punch.
