Chapter 16 - WHY VICTOR NEEDED ROSALIE DEPENDENTThe forensic accountant found the structure.
Isabella’s trust was complicated.
Designed before Rosalie’s birth.
Protective.
Conservative.
The trust funded education, medical care, and long-term security.
While Rosalie remained a dependent minor with significant medical needs, certain discretionary accounts remained under advisory oversight.
Victor’s company received fees for administration.
Not illegal.
But more dependency meant more complexity.
More complexity meant more fees.
Over time, the arrangement had become profitable.
Outside counsel also found communications between Victor and a trust administrator.
Dante is too emotionally involved. Keep communications routed through me.
Rosalie’s condition is unlikely to materially improve. We should structure long-term dependency planning.
That message was sent seven months after Dr. Patel recommended reassessment.
Dante read it in silence.
He did not punch walls.
He did not call men.
He did not threaten Victor.
That surprised everyone.
Especially Dante.
He was learning something.
Rage could wait.
Truth could not.
The attorney asked:
“What do you want done?”
“Remove him.”
“From all advisory roles?”
“Yes.”
“Immediately?”
“Yes.”
“Criminal referral?”
“If evidence supports it.”
“Civil recovery?”
“Yes.”
Dante looked toward the courtyard.
Rosalie was practicing standing with a therapist.
Eli sat nearby.
No one knew the full extent yet.
Dante whispered:
“He doesn’t get to decide what happens because I’m angry.”
The attorney looked at him.
“Who?”
“Victor.”
Then:
“Neither do I.”
For perhaps the first time in his adult life, Dante separated power from impulse.
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Isabella would have been proud.
That hurt almost as much as everything else.
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