Chapter 46
Vico
I breathe a sigh of relief and press my mobile phone closer to my ear. "Thank you so much. This is amazing," I say to the lawyer on the other end of the line before ending the call.
For the past fifteen minutes, I've paced back and forth in front of the van because my legs just wouldn't stay still. Ever since my phone call with Camilla yesterday morning, a fire has been lit inside me. At first, it was just a small flame, but now it has grown into a raging wildfire.
I can't be stopped now, especially after receiving the confirmation that changes everything. With my heart pounding, I open the internet browser to search for Florian's guesthouse website. Contacting him is the next step of my plan. Without much thought, I write him an email, telling him that we urgently need to discuss the contract. I attach contact details for a video call because I want to look him in the eyes when he hears the news.
After sending the message, I look around. Waiting for his response here would be a waste of time. I have a lot to do, including informing Matteo that I won't be participating in the competition. Not this one or any other.
There's only one jump left for me, and that's into a new future that I'm determined to fight for with all that I have.
Before I can talk to my coach, my phone announces an incoming call from Florian. That he's calling back so quickly is strange. Did my message scare him? I straighten my back and answer the call.
His grim face appears on the screen. "What's up?" he asks curtly in English.
I smile openly at him. "Good morning to you too," I reply in English.
"Um… yeah. Sure," he says with a disdainful snort, furrowing his eyebrows. "So what do we still need to discuss? Is there a problem with clearing out the estate? If that's it, I can't grant any extensions. The contractors…"
"We don't need an extension," I say firmly, cutting him off.
He rolls his eyes impatiently. "Then what else? I don't have all day, so…"
I'm more than happy to get straight to the point. "Like I said, we don't need an extension because we won't be moving out." Boom. The bomb has been dropped. I can't help but grin.
Florian responds with a mocking laugh, but then falls silent and looks at me sternly. "How dare you waste my precious time with such nonsense?" he asks imperiously.
Should I tell him now? Doesn't he deserve to stew a little longer? Maybe. But that's not the kind of person I am. That's who he is.
"I'm sorry to inform you that it's not nonsense. The contract is void, and the estate remains in the possession of the Olivetta family," I say calmly.
"The contract is valid," he retorts brusquely, reaching for something off-camera. "I have a neatly drawn-up agreement here, reviewed by lawyers. Signed by your father." The contract appears in his hands, and he flips to the last page. "Here you go, everything is here."
"Of course, there's a signature. I'm not denying that," I reply, remaining completely composed.
His cheeks under the full beard flush red. "That's your father's signature, right? Or did you try to pass off a forgery on me?" His facial expression becomes more aggressive with each word. "I'll sue you until you're left with nothing, pal."
It's hard to keep my composure, but I won't stoop to his level. "Save yourself the legal fees; the signature is undoubtedly genuine," I reply.
He audibly exhales. "Then there's nothing more to discuss. The outbuilding of the estate must be vacated by tomorrow evening." There it is again, that sinister grin. "It was nice talking to you." I can tell there's a curse word on the tip of his tongue, and I wonder immediately why he doesn't say it. Is Hanna nearby? Can she hear our conversation? And if so, does she suspect what I'm planning?
If that's the case, Florian will experience something he'll never forget and regret it for the rest of his life.
"Not so fast." I raise my index finger. "My father did sign, that's true. However, it has come to light that he is not authorized to sign on behalf of the estate."
That's the truth, and nothing but the truth. Camilla's information about my father's final decline gave me the idea, and the lawyer earlier confirmed it. Father is not legally competent in his current state, just like my mother wasn't when she forgot that she already had a car and bought another one. It won't be difficult to prove this fact with a medical assessment and then proceed with the annulment of the contract.
"How stupid do you think I am? Of course, he is authorized to sign," Florian snaps. "I had my lawyer investigate the ownership beforehand." His face glows with pride.
"That's also true. The estate belongs to him," I explain calmly. "The catch is that he is not authorized to sell it."
Suddenly, all the restlessness leaves my body. I don't need to keep moving to release energy anymore. Filled with inner tranquility, I lean against the driver's door of my van and let the sun warm my face.
Although the bright light makes it difficult to see the display, I can clearly tell that Florian is searching for words but can't find any.
Perhaps it's better if I continue speaking. Despite the remaining risk that the medical assessment might not turn out as expected, I don't let it show. "My lawyer will gladly send all the necessary documents to your lawyer," I say with a self-assured grin, sounding like a businessman. "For now, I would still recommend you withdraw the construction workers from the estate. Just to avoid further costs for you."
I strain my ears, hoping to catch any sounds in the background. A muffled exclamation. Or heavy breathing. But there's nothing. Hanna doesn't seem to be here. It's just Florian, and the pure fury etched on his face.
"The estate is mine," he says forcefully, as if he believes he can impress me with that statement. His eyes narrow to slits. "Just like Hanna," he adds. "Got it?"
No, I don't get it at all. "Hanna belongs to one person only: herself," I hold his gaze firmly. So he knows what an idiot he is to think he could ever possess her like an object.
"What do you know…" He lets out a forced snort, but it doesn't impress me.
"Enough," I reply succinctly.
He rubs his forehead.
It's time to end this call. I have far more important things to do than explain to Florian that he doesn't deserve the woman by his side. "You'll receive the documents next week. Whether you withdraw the construction workers today or then, I'll leave that to you. After all, it's your money."
In an instant, he appears weary, as if he has realized he's lost. And maybe he even senses that more is about to happen. "I guess I need to make some urgent phone calls."
"I'm sorry it had to come to this," I say, and I mean it. I never wanted to hurt anyone. Not Hanna, not my family, and not even him.
He sighs wistfully. "You have no idea…" he says, then abruptly ends the call.
Puzzled by his last words, I lower the phone. What did he mean by that?
Whatever it is, it doesn't matter anymore. Because my focus is now solely on my goal.
Time for the next step. I climb into the driver's seat of the van and start the engine.