Chapter 8 - The Courtroom Video
Viola arrived at family court dressed like a grandmother attending church.
Soft gray suit.
Small pearl earrings.
No burgundy gown.
No arrogance.
She looked fragile.
Her attorney described her as devastated by “an exaggerated family conflict.”
Then Matteo’s assault photos appeared.
One showed Carlo collapsing into the catering table.
Another showed the decorative screen over him.
Viola’s attorney turned toward Matteo.
“You punched your brother?”
“Yes.”
“You kicked him?”
“Yes.”
“In front of dozens of guests?”
“Yes.”
“While your infant son was present?”
Matteo’s jaw tightened.
“Yes.”
The attorney turned to the judge.
“No further questions.”
Samuel stood.
“Actually, Your Honor, we would like to provide context.”
The recovered video played.
Carlo appeared holding Luca.
Elena screamed.
Viola stood beside them.
Then the audio.
“Sign it, Elena, and Carlo puts him down.”
The judge immediately leaned forward.
Viola stopped blinking.
The video continued.
Matteo rushed in.
Took Luca.
Handed him safely to Elena.
Then punched Carlo.
The order of events was undeniable.
Samuel stopped the video.
“Mrs. Russo,” he said, “what was Elena supposed to sign?”
Viola looked at her attorney.
“An ordinary family document.”
Samuel held up the agreement.
“A delegation of Luca’s trust voting rights?”
Viola’s lips tightened.
“I believed it benefited the family.”
“Did Matteo sign it?”
“Yes.”
Matteo’s attorney produced the handwriting analysis.
No.
He had not.
Samuel continued.
“Then someone forged Matteo Russo’s signature.”
Viola said nothing.
The judge denied her petition.
But that wasn’t the worst part.
The judge ordered preservation of all trust-related records.
The courtroom matter was referred for further investigation.
Viola turned toward Matteo as they left.
“This will destroy your father’s company.”
Matteo stopped.
“No.”
He looked at her.
“Whatever you and Carlo did might.”
For the first time, Viola’s face showed real fear.
May you like
Because the trust fight was no longer private.
And the financial records were next.
