Chapter 6
Massimo wanted Vanessa removed from Lombardi Atelier that morning.
The company attorney stopped him.
“Her contract can be suspended while we review access, but we need to know what she actually did.”
Massimo was learning to hate reasonable people.
He approved the suspension.
Then the audit began.
Vanessa had accessed confidential design files far beyond what her consulting role required.
She opened unreleased sketches.
Private collector lists.
Pricing documents.
Production schedules.
But access alone was not theft.
Then the design team identified three pieces that looked familiar.
A competing boutique in Miami had released jewelry unusually similar to Isabella’s unreleased concepts.
Not exact copies.
Close enough to matter.
Massimo looked at the dates.
Vanessa accessed each corresponding file before the competing pieces appeared.
Grant had business ties to the boutique’s parent company.
The pattern looked ugly.
Still not enough.
Meanwhile, Noah began revealing other things without realizing their importance.
He told Isabella:
“Dad says we don’t tell Grandpa when Mommy falls.”
Isabella immediately left the room.
Massimo followed but did not push.
Later Noah asked:
“Can I make another flower?”
“For Grant?”
Noah shook his head.
“For Mommy.”
Massimo helped him find paper.
While cutting a green stem, Noah said:
“Aunt Vanessa says flowers are stupid.”
“Why?”
“She says Daddy gets mad when Mommy gives things away.”
Massimo paused.
“What things?”
Noah shrugged.
“Pretty pictures.”
The phrase meant nothing to a four-year-old.
To Massimo, it sounded like design sketches.
He asked Isabella carefully.
“Did you give anyone original drawings?”
Her face changed.
“I kept a portfolio at home.”
“Where is it?”
“I don't know.”
The physical sketches could establish whether someone had copied Isabella’s work before digital timestamps.
Grant had controlled the house.
Vanessa had access.
Massimo now understood why Grant’s attorney letter demanded certain “documents” be returned.
May you like
Grant was not worried about jewelry.
He was worried Isabella might have brought something that belonged to her.
