Chapter 2They Called Me a Freeloader in My Own Empire

My aunt didn't answer that night. She called back the following morning while I was waiting in my office on the top floor.

The finance department still hadn't sent a single statement.

On the video call, Aunt Elena sat on the terrace of her country house. New leaves covered the vines behind her. She had a shawl around her shoulders and asked whether I'd eaten breakfast.

“Coffee doesn't count,” she added.

She had raised me after my father's death and guided the family through its hardest years. Poor health had gradually forced her to step back. Camilla had taken over more of the wineries' day-to-day business.

I hoped I could at least explain the agreement to her.

“Aunt Elena, about yesterday's meeting—”

“Camilla told me.” She set down her cup. “You're unhappy with the changes, and you want to bring in an outside lawyer.”

“Did she show you the agreement?”

“She said the core team would receive some shares. They've worked hard. We can't give them nothing.”

I photographed page three and sent it to her.

“They aren't asking for a small allocation. They want to redistribute my holding and replace the dividends with an allowance. It doesn't say who gets the shares or how much I would keep.”

She looked down at her phone. When she faced the camera again, she sighed.

“Vera, Camilla will make sure you have enough to live on.”

“I'm not asking whether she'll support me. I'm asking why I should have to give this up.”

“She has managed those wineries for twelve years without a major problem. She's just married. Luca wants to help. How do you think she felt when you challenged them in front of everyone?”

“They asked me to sign something. I need to know what it means.”

“Then discuss it privately. Why involve outsiders?” Her brow creased. “Your father understood that family disagreements stay behind closed doors. What will people think?”

I listened as she spoke about Camilla's feelings and the other families' opinions.

She never asked whether I wanted the arrangement.

“I tried discussing it. They wouldn't answer. I'm having the document reviewed, and I'm not signing it. Please don't tell them I will.”

She was silent.

“Take care of yourself,” I said.

After the call, I sat for a while with the phone in my hand.

Then the office door opened. Luca walked in carrying a glass of orange juice. He hadn't knocked.

“Freshly squeezed.” He placed it beside the agreement and glanced at my screen. “Spoken to your aunt? She understands what's good for this family.”

I left the juice untouched.

“Where are the financial statements?”

“Finance has a schedule. Everything doesn't stop because you've suddenly developed an interest in the accounts.”

He sat down and slid a list across my desk.

“If we're treating this as a business matter, there are expenses we need to address. This office is empty most of the year. We're still paying to maintain it. Administration will turn it into a client reception room tomorrow.”

Below the office were my car, my driver, and the supplementary card linked to a company account.

“The car and driver are company-funded. Those services end today. As for this—”

He took the black card from the holder on my desk.

“The company has no obligation to subsidize your personal spending indefinitely.”

I picked up the holder and put it in my bag.

“Yesterday I refused to sign. Today all these costs have become urgent?”

He tucked the card into his folder.

“If you're willing to reconsider the agreement, we can reconsider these arrangements.”

“Does Camilla know?”

He turned the list over and pointed to her signature.

“Of course. She also asked me to remind you that independence is a good thing. You can't rely on other people to make your money forever.”

I stared at the familiar handwriting. Yesterday she'd promised I wouldn't lose out. Today she'd signed off on her husband's attempt to pressure me into changing my answer.

“I'll keep this.” I took the notice. “And I still want the statements. Taking away my office doesn't remove my right to information.”

Luca stood, buttoning his jacket.

“If you want a desk here, apply for one in the staff area. You'll be expected to keep regular hours. Under company policy, being away for months at a time would count as an unauthorized absence.”

I gathered my papers. As he passed, he reached toward my shoulder to smooth my jacket.

I stepped aside.

“Don't touch me.”

His hand paused before he lowered it.

“Your father's paperwork doesn't find buyers or pay wages. Camilla keeps this business alive. The sooner you understand that, the better.”

At the door, he looked back.

“Leave your personal things. I'll have the cleaners pack them.”

“I'll pack them myself. Tell everyone to leave them alone.”

Once he was gone, I took my father's old journal from the drawer.

Then I sent the agreement and the notice to the lawyer I had contacted, Sofia Conti. I also asked her to review every authorization still in effect.

I needed to know how far the powers I had given other people had been stretched.