Chapter 8 - The Echoes of Isabella
The Council of Nine sat in heavy, stunned silence as Victor handed the certified medical files and the 99.9% biological DNA reports to the Senior Council Dean.
The Dean examined the documents under the bright chandelier light, his eyes scanning the original birth certificates, the hospital intake ledgers, and the thumb-prints from Saint Jude’s Memorial.
"The bloodline is verified," the Senior Council Dean announced, his voice echoing across the ballroom. "Ellie and Leo Bellandi are the legitimate full siblings and primary heirs of Don Victor Bellandi."
A wave of quiet reverence rippled through the gathered syndicate lieutenants.
Celeste realized her multi-billion-dollar scheme had completely crumbled. In a fit of wild, desperate rage, she stepped forward, pointing a finger at Victor.
"They are forged!" Celeste shrieked. "Isabella was barren! She couldn't have children! Ask Arthur Vance! He signed the original medical exemption eight years ago!"
From the rear entrance of the ballroom, a tall, elegant woman dressed in a quiet dark blue coat stepped into the room, escorted by two Bellandi guards.
Celeste froze. Her breath caught violently in her throat as she looked at the woman's face.
It was Dr. Evelyn Vance—the former head nurse at Saint Jude’s Memorial, who had been hidden in Europe for eight years!
Dr. Vance walked up the center aisle, holding a velvet-lined display box. She set it on the council table before the Dean.
"Isabella Bellandi was never barren, Celeste," Dr. Vance said, her voice clear, calm, and absolute. "You and Don Falcone bribed my brother to falsify her medical charts so you could split the twins at birth and force Victor into a legal receivership."
Dr. Vance opened the velvet box, exposing the original, unedited hospital intake journal signed by Isabella herself twenty minutes before her passing.
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"Isabella knew what Celeste was planning," Dr. Vance continued, looking at Victor with deep respect. "She signed her entire personal fortune directly over to her twin children, under Victor’s sole legal guardianship until they reach adulthood."
Celeste dropped onto her knees on the marble floor, weeping hysterically as her web of lies was laid bare before the entire syndicate world.
