Chapter 4 - The Account at St. Agnes
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Victor did not threaten Marina.
That surprised her.
He simply called Detective Nathan Cole, a longtime acquaintance who had worked major financial and fraud cases before moving into private investigations.
“Find out who the account belongs to.”
Marina laughed.
“You think a hospital is going to hand you a child because you demand it?”
“No.”
Victor looked at her.
“That’s why I’m doing this legally.”
That frightened her more.
Jonathan filed an emergency petition requesting records connected to the disputed newborn transfer.
Meanwhile, Victor moved Rose upstairs with her nanny and two security officers.
He returned to the ballroom.
Marina was still there.
She could have left.
She didn’t.
Victor understood why.
She wanted to know how much he knew.
“So,” he said, “you signed a transport authorization.”
“I helped someone.”
“Who?”
“I don’t remember.”
“Nine months ago.”
“I attend dozens of charity events and hospital meetings.”
“At two-thirty in the morning?”
Marina said nothing.
Victor’s investigator called at 3:17 a.m.
The account at St. Agnes did not list a Bellini child.
It listed:
ELIAS MARSH.
Date of birth:
March 14.
Victor’s heart hammered.
“What time?”
The record available through preliminary court disclosure showed 2:08 a.m.
Same as Gabriel.
Victor sat down.
Marina looked toward the doors.
“Who is Elias Marsh?” Victor asked.
She remained silent.
Jonathan found more.
The account was funded through a trust created eight days after the birth.
Trust administrator:
Marina.
Beneficiary:
Elias Marsh.
Guardian listed:
Rebecca Marsh.
Victor knew no Rebecca Marsh.
Nathan Cole found her address.
A farmhouse ninety minutes north.
Victor started toward the doors.
Jonathan stopped him.
“Not alone.”
“That might be my son.”
“And arriving at a stranger’s home with six men in black suits is a terrible way to establish that.”
Victor hated that Jonathan was right.
Police were contacted.
A welfare check was arranged.
Victor waited.
Every minute felt like punishment.
At 4:41 a.m., Detective Cole called again.
“There’s a baby at the residence.”
Victor closed his eyes.
“Boy?”
“Yes.”
“Nine months?”
“Looks about right.”
Victor gripped the phone.
“Is he safe?”
“Yes.”
“Is Rebecca there?”
“Yes.”
“Does she know who I am?”
Silence.
Then Cole said—
“She started crying when I said your name.”
Victor slowly looked toward Marina.
“What did she say?”
Cole took a breath.
“She said she’s been waiting nine months for someone from the Bellini family to finally come.”
Marina went pale.
May you like
👉 The woman raising “Elias Marsh” had been waiting for Victor—but somebody had convinced her that contacting him first would put the baby in danger.
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