Chapter 9 - The Ghost of the Past
The morning sun cast a sharp, brilliant light across the glass façade of Bellamy Engineering, but inside Simone’s office, the air felt heavy.
Sixteen months had passed since the night at the Windermir Grand, and the company had not only survived the near-fatal blow dealt by Matteo and Deline, but it had also expanded its portfolio threefold through its partnership with the Marzano Group. Simone sat at her desk, reviewing the final architectural blueprints for a sprawling new community medical center downtown, when a sharp rap on her door interrupted her concentration.
Her assistant, a bright young woman named Chloe, stepped inside, looking visibly shaken.
“Ms. Bellamy, I’m sorry to interrupt, but... you have a visitor in the lobby. Refused to give a name, but security called immediately because of... well, because of who it is.”
Simone looked up, a cold knot forming in her stomach. “Who is it, Chloe?”
“It’s your mother, Mrs. Bellamy.”
Simone’s pen slipped from her fingers, clattering softly against the desk. Helen Bellamy had vanished to a secluded estate in Florida right after the scandal broke, maintaining radio silence for over a year while Deline’s legal team navigated a mountain of felony indictments.
“Send her up,” Simone said quietly, her voice steady despite the sudden surge of adrenaline.
Minutes later, the door swung open. Helen looked older; the immaculate poise that once defined her seemed frayed, her pale blue silk dress replaced by a simple, unpretentious beige coat. She looked around the expansive, modern office, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“You’ve done well, Simone,” Helen whispered, her voice trembling. “The firm... it looks incredible.”
“What do you want, Mom?” Simone didn't offer her a seat. She stood behind her desk, arms crossed, maintaining a protective barrier between her past and her hard-fought present.
Helen took a shaky breath, stepping further into the room. “Deline’s trial is coming to its final sentencing phase. Her lawyer reached out. They’re... they’re asking for family character statements. She’s facing ten years, Simone. Ten years in a federal penitentiary.”
Simone stared at her mother, feeling a profound, heavy sadness rather than anger. “Mom, Deline didn't just make a mistake. She forged Dad’s signature, looted his company while he was paralyzed, and tried to ruin him completely. And on top of that, she physically assaulted me on her wedding day. What did she expect?”
“She’s your sister!” Helen cried out, a sob breaking through her controlled facade. “Can’t you use your influence with Mr. Marzano? He owns half this city. If he says a word to the prosecutor—”
May you like
“Julian won't touch this,” a deep, cold voice interrupted from the doorway.
Julian Marzano stood leaning against the doorframe, his dark suit immaculate, his expression carved from stone. He had walked in quietly, his sharp eyes taking in Helen’s tear-stained face with absolute, unyielding detachment.
