Page 49 of The Billionaire's Vow

Mr. Sears paused the video. “Do you want to take a break?”

“No,” Rocco said to him.

“Calm down, honey,” Olivia told Nico. “Let’s hear him out. Okay?”

Mr. Sears pressed the video to play again.

Luca smiled at the screen. “You might find my actions harsh, but it’s the same option all Marini men receive. Marini Corporations must remain in the hands of Marinis and that is why I’ve added another provision to your inheritance. You’ll receive two billion from our trust that you can use for your film productions and towards building your studio every time you have a child. Overall, I’ve made you a very wealthy man, but I still feel you need guidance to stay on the Marini family path. That’s why my final act is placing the trust and estate as co-trustees and head the board. However, if you return to MariniCorporate, Rocco, you will be my successor and all rights revert to you as the head of the trust.”

Rocco went still next to me and I fought back tears. Our Luca had turned against us in a profound way, withdrawing Rocco’s inheritance, and forcing us to have children for money.

Could Luca really get away with this?

Olivia scoffed. “But this video isn’t current. He made this years ago. Why did you play it at all?”

“It’s all we have,” Mr. Sears answered and cleared his throat. “It’s… it’searlierthan thecurrentwill, but we believe Luca Marini’s video demonstrates his best wishes for his inheritance—”

“We’ll see about that,” Gunnar cut in, his tone sharp.

“You should all review the booklets of the current will,” Mr. Sears announced.

“The video fails to acknowledge that I hold the most shares of our stock and that I’m co-head of our board. It’s also been recorded in minutes, and approved by the current board in every quarter for the past five years that I’ll be his successor,” Rocco said in a raised voice as he flipped through the papers. “Mostof these changes would have to have my approval, and I most definitely won’t give them.”

“What about us?” Sienna sobbed. “Did Grandpa take us out of his will? Does that mean we won’t get allowances?”

“He’s only giving Sienna and Salvatore five hundred million dollars. He’s cut me out completely,” Nico shouted and threw his booklet across the table. “Where’s the one hundred and thirty billion dollars going? To the trust, the board, and charities? Fuck that.” He jumped up and started to pace.

“I can’t believe he’d do this,” Salvatore slammed his fist on the table.

Nico went over to Mr. Sears and pointed his finger in his face. “Where did you get this new will?”

“It was given to me a couple of months ago,” Mr. Sears said. “It’s legal—”

“I wouldn’t speak in definitive, Mr. Sears,” Gunnar spoke over him. “You’ll have to prove it. This will’s completely different from the one on file for the past five years.”

Nico walked over to Olivia who was strangely quiet. “The arranged marriage contract agreement said Rocco had to marry Adelina. We removed the children stipulation. Did you know your father put it in his will? Is that why you’re not upset?” he yelled.

“Stop screaming at her,” Rocco shouted at him.

I touched Ian’s arm and leaned toward his ear. “Can I at least say how upset I am, too?” Luca’s used his will to control me as much as his family.

“No. It’s best to let this legally play out,” he whispered close.

“But your mother planned this with him, son,” Nico said to Rocco. “Look at the new will; all her money and property remain hers. He’s making me beg my wife for handouts. You should be furious. He stole your future.”

“He hasn’t yet,” Rocco said in an even tone.

“But you all have money,” Olivia softly interjected. “More money than you’ll ever spend in a lifetime. Rocco, he’s given you the equivalent of twenty billion dollars, and you’re still on the trust and boards—”

“Mom, what use is money, if grandfather’s controlling how I can spend it? He’s attempting to use the will to take my board and trust power,” Rocco said to her, surprisingly calm as he scanned the pages. “He’s trying to use the estate and trust to rule from the grave.”

“Some things, not everything—”

“Yes,everything, Mom. Grandfather never had to answer to anyone, but he wants to make me do it. He’s attempting to take away my ability to produce films, create a studio. He even wants to force me to have kids. It’s cruel and egoistic, and I won’t allow it. I’ll be calling a board meeting tonight to block most of this, and I’m filing papers tonight.” Rocco’s gaze went to Gunnar, who nodded affirmatively at him. “To fight his desperate act.”

I wasn’t all that surprised at what Mr. Marini had done to Rocco and me. He’d been very clear during our dinner he wanted us to have children sooner than later. However, the Luca on the video was different than the one I knew the last eight years. He was selfish and heavy-handed, especially to Rocco. Luca had previously announced publicly Rocco as his successor. It was natural for him to expect all powers turned over on his death.

“Well, it can all be easily solved without having to involve the board, Rocco,” Olivia said quickly. “I’m not happy about the quick elopement, but you’re married as my father wanted. So why not have a child now and use the money you’ll get from doing that to start your studio since you and Adelina were going to have children anyway? As for the board, I’ll support whatever you need.”

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