Luca’s shoulders dropped in defeat. ‘Alberto, I can explain—’
‘Ill-tempered? Ill-tempered!?’ Silvia’s screech hit the window behind Angelo and Tommaso and came hurtling back towards her.
‘Now, extracts from Convento delle Viole’s staff. Margherita Innocenti, employed as language assistant.’
Margherita had been a plant?Matthew’s heart raced while Sarah’s eyebrows drew close together and she began to wring her hands in her lap. What would she have revealed about them?
‘Accommodating;caring;open-minded;enthusiastic; generous and giving of their time, space and wealth;clear communication;guests are always prioritised;an example of united leadership and creative vision;respectful of each other and others;a loving married couple.’
Matthew’s eyes rolled in relief and he exhaled, shaking his head.
Alberto’s eyes darted sternly between the couples. ‘The board has taken into consideration the value each couple and, by association, each property has added to the community. Palazzo D’Eccellenza attracted a new wave of wealthy guests into the area, which had a positive impact on some of the similarly ranked businesses. For example, the spas and hot springs.
‘Convento delle Viole placed the community and surrounding areas under both the regional and national spotlight with its Sagra dell’Umbria. This event boosted tourism across all sectors, allowed for networking opportunities for small businesses, farms and artisans and increased interest in real estate in the area. TheDispensa delle Violealso reinvigorated demand for locally derived produce.’
Sarah couldn’t believe what she was hearing. All her ideas and projects had supported Matthew’s cause in the most perfect way – by giving back to the community, by celebrating regional diversity and local needs and by reinforcing the identity of the land. She was so relieved this aligned so perfectly with the D’Adamo family values.
‘Given the information in your packs and that which I have explicitly shared, the board has decided on the most appropriate heir to the D’Adamo Trust. Before I announce that person, would anyone like to share anything they feel adds to their case, or that they would like on the record?’ He gestured to Tommaso.
Sarah turned to Matthew and her eyes were hopeful. Would he share what they had learned about Viola D’Adamo and the lost lineage? Would he sacrifice Luca for his fiery attack on their property? Matthew simply shook his head and mouthed, ‘No’, and she knew that he wanted them to earn this on their own. She trusted him completely, so buried her temptation to further support his cause.
‘Luca,’ Alberto started. ‘Thank you for all that you have done this year. You have found yourself challenged in more ways than you perhaps could have ever anticipated. We, the D’Adamo Trust, will always support you moving forward, but I am sorry to say that we cannot in good conscience entrust the estate to you.’
In unison, Matthew and Sarah exhaled, and their shoulders seemed to fold as victorious relief enveloped them.
Alberto stood and offered his hand, which Luca shook with genuine gratitude. ‘We have some papers for you to sign, so if you wouldn’t mind waiting in the boardroom next door, Tommaso and I will be with you shortly.’
Silvia stood abruptly, glared across the table at Alberto and Tommaso, then turned on her heel and stormed from the room. The door banged on its hinges behind her.
Luca winced, said his goodbyes and exited in a far more dignified manner.
Now on their feet, Matthew and Sarah took each other in an all-encompassing embrace. Sarah’s previous tears found their return.
Matthew began to feel lightheaded.
‘Cover your ears, Tommaso,’ commanded Alberto. ‘That was the most long-winded, exhausting, roundabout way of doing this handover, only to achieve what we knew and hoped would happen all along!’
Sarah and Matthew’s laughter burst through their emotional display.
‘Zio . . .’ Matthew started.
‘Shh. Me first.’ He silenced Matthew with a raised hand. ‘Matteo Andrea D’Adamo, it is an honour that I can rightfully offer youthe D’Adamo Trust.’
Matthew, now seated once again by Sarah’s side, had gone limp in the legs.
‘All that’s required are a few signatures, and we can begin the handover.’ Tommaso extended a contract to Matthew. ‘Your signature here, when you are ready, to accept the estate.’
Matthew took a few minutes to read through the document before committing his name to the page. With a final impassioned flourish, he signed. Turning to Sarah, her relief matched his and she wound her arm around him and drew him in close.
Tommaso shuffled through another set of documents and found the one he was looking for. ‘This contract outlines your commitment, or the appointment of another individual, to the role ofAmministratore Delegato.’
Sarah’s eyes narrowed as she scanned her mental vocabulary for the term.
‘CEO,’ Matthew explained, and took the document from Tommaso.
‘It already has your name printed there, Matteo, so you just need to sign on the line above,’ Tommaso said.
Matthew read the document carefully, gnawing on his bottom lip all the while. Eventually, after a long pensive sigh, he said, ‘No.’
