Chapter 3: William's Will
The atmosphere in the Great's mansion was downcast, as the elite members of society came to show their support.
Near the entrance was a table that had a large decorated portrait of William Great on it, and beside this framed picture was an aesthetic golden jar that contained his ashes. Visitors went there to say their last words, offer prayers and drop beautiful flowers.
The pretty hostess, dressed in an elegant black gown, welcomed her guests. Anne received their words of comfort with a smile, regardless of the speaker's sincerity. She was sure some individuals were glad her only relative is dead, because this meant a reduction in The Empire's threat.
Her lastest guest wore an exquisite three-piece black suit, along with a black shirt and neck tie. He had on a classic fade haircut: His hair at the top was left alone but tapered at the back and sides, to blend into his nape and defined beard respectively.
Most eyes lingered on him for two reasons: Nobody knew him and he was genuinely handsome. He tried asking a group of old women where the host was, but the conversation took a sexual turn in no time.
"Mm, the things I would love to do to you."
"Oh honey, do you have anyone you're seeing?"
Anne spotted Henry and was taken aback for a second. Was this the same man she met three days ago? The crime-committing entity, who looked like he hadn't heard of a razor three days ago, now looked presentable.
Henry finally noticed Anne. He quickly excused himself from the perverse clingy senior citizens, and walked to her.
"You clean up nice." She complimented.
"Thanks. You don't look half bad yourself."
"Uh, thank you." Anne replied.
She was seriously confused. Even his backhanded compliment didn't sound as bad as it was. It was like he was overflowing with charm.
"What happened to you? You seem different."
"In a good or bad way?"
"In a good way. You're more likeable like this."
"I'm glad, I was scared I wouldn't fit in. Give me second, I want to say some words." He excused himself, before walking to where his grandfather's ashes was displayed. He dropped his bouquet of flowers and looked at the decorated portrait.
"Even though I didn't know you, you still chose to remember me in death. Thank you." He said, then he stood up and returned to Anne.
"I've gotten it." She said.
"Gotten what?"
"Why you're so charming? It's because you're now a millionaire."
"You mean multimillionaire. And no, that's not why. I haven't even touched the money."
Anne tilted her head.
"Why?"
"Because I don't want—"
"And who is this young man that's causing murmurs among the ladies?" An old man interrupted. He was an important member of The Empire Group Board of Directors, Arnold Molde.
"I'm Henry Great, William Great's grandson."
Henry replied, as he stretched out his hands for an handshake. Arnold had on a surprised look, then he turned to Anne for confirmation.
"So William really did have a grandson?"
"Yes. He chose not to directly interfere in his life, that's why no one knows of him." Anne replied.
Arnold surprised look vanished as he finally understood the situation. Without wasting another second, he pulled Henry into a tight hug.
"That makes you family. If you ever need anything, just come to Uncle Arnold."
Henry, on the other hand, became troubled. His grandfather watched him struggle and face hardships but still chose to not directly interfere. He didn't blame the man, he just needed someone to make it make sense to him.
Arnold went his way and Henry turned to Anne.
"Why didn't he want to directly interfere in my life, even though he knew I had it rough being an orphan?"
"Maybe he had a valid reason."
"That doesn't answer my question."
"I don't know why he chose to watch from the sidelines. Is that what you want to hear? Besides, didn't I tell you to keep questions concerning your relationship with William to yourself?" Anne retorted, before walking away.
Henry was confused. Why didn't she just say she didn't know from the start? And why was she angry like he had said something wrong?
The funeral went on for an hour more before ending, and most of the guests left. The visitors that stayed behind are the present board members and other important guests that stand to gain from The Empire Group profits.
Everyone gathered in the sitting room and the atmosphere changed from moody to serious, like they were now in a meeting.
The executor finally joined them in the sitting room. Nobody needed to announce it was time to read William's will, for even a baby could tell what was happening.
Anne made gestures to Henry. He didn't need to understand sign language, or whatever she was doing, to know she was telling him to get ready to disclaim his inheritance.
The executor brought out a white envelope. It was sealed shut with a red seal, that had the Great's family crest imprinted on it.
He broke the seal and brought out a folded white paper. He unfolded it and started reading its contents:
"I, William Great, son of Henry Great, aged 65 years, resident of The Imperial Palace, do hereby revoke all my former Wills, Codicils and Testamentary dispositions made by me. I declare this to be my last Will and Testament...
...I hereby appoint Mr. Ethan Drake, as the sole executor of this will.
My adopted daughter's name is Anne Great, and my grandson's name is Henry Great.
I own the following movable and immovable assets...
...I hereby give, devise and bequeath all my properties, whether movable or immovable, whatsoever and wheresoever to Anne and Henry Great, absolutely forever.
Each of all my assets are to be shared equally between them. Anne gets half, Henry gets half.
That is all. Does anyone have any comments or questions?"
The board members murmured between themselves, while Anne stabbed Henry with her piercing gaze. He turned the other way, acting like he couldn't feel it.
Stomp!
"Ow!" Henry exclaimed as Anne stepped on his foot.
"I know you're ignoring me. Why aren't you holding your end of the deal?" She whispered to him.
"I've changed my mind."
"Eh? You can't just change your mind, especially after receiving fifty million dollars."
"I will return the money. I told you I didn't touch it, didn't I?"
"I don't want it back. I just want you to renounce your right to inherit."
"I'm sorry. I can't do that."
"Why—"
Clink! Clink! Clink!
The sound of a metal spoon hitting an elegant wine glass caught everyone's attention. Arnold was the cause.
"Everyone get a glass, I want to make a toast. After my very dear friend William passed away; we all thought it was the beginning of the end of his Empire, little did we know The Emperor always had a plan. Let's raise our glasses to the new owners of The Empire Group. To Anne and Henry Great!"
"Cheers."
The rich men and woman made eye contacts and smiled at each other before taking a sip of their wine.
"Thank you Uncle Arnold, for your kind words."
"You're welcome, Henry. Would any of you like to say something?"
Anne declined, but Henry felt otherwise.
"I would love to." He said, raising up his glass and the others joined him.
"I know most of you were shocked to find out The Emperor had a grandson, I just want to say: I was just as shocked."
Henry said, and the crowd laughed.
"I might never know why he left me half of his Empire, but I do know he trusted me enough to do so. But keeping his legacy isn't something Anne and I can do alone. That's why I'm raising my glass, not to a single individual, but to the powerful men and women that have helped preserve William's legacy. Thank you all for your hard work!"
"Cheers!" The wealthy men and women exclaimed.
"Wow, what a toast! I think we now know why William left you half of his Empire." Arnold joked, and the elites laughed.
———
Anne saw off all her visitors, till it remained the executor and Henry.
"I can't seem to wrap my head around a part of his will."
"Which part?" The executor asked Anne.
"Each of all my assets are to be shared equally between them. Why did he put it that way? Does it mean we're getting half of each asset he owns, rather than getting half of all his assets combined?"
"Precisely. You are both joint owners of all his properties."
Henry picked up the TV remote with a bag of chips in his hands. He already knows his grandfather's will down to every letter, thanks to the executor. Anne took a glance at him feeling cosy on her favorite couch, before returning her focus to Drake.
"But that—"
"I know it would be inconvenient to share everything, that's why we would find a way to divide it later. But till then, you both have equal rights to all William's assets. I'll be taking my leave now, but I'll be back as soon as I can." Ethan said, and Anne saw him off.
She walked back into the sitting room to see Henry making himself at home. "You're staying?"
"Is there a problem?"
Instead of answering, she started picking up the dirty wine glasses littered around.
"Can you help me in cleaning up?"
After a couple dozen of minutes, they were done. Henry sat on the large kitchen table, while Anne picked up a leftover bottle of wine and two clean wine glasses. She poured the red wine into the glasses and handed one to him.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome." She replied, before sitting down beside him on the large table. A second later, she turned to him.
"What made you change your mind?"
"After I met you, my life got even more worse. I spent all my money paying the bills in that fancy restaurant you took me to, I lost my job because I overslept after trekking back home and my roommate kicked me out because I couldn't afford rent. All those issues could I've been solved with the money from our deal, but I couldn't even access that—"
"I-I'm sorry."
"It's alright. It wasn't the first time I reached rock bottom. I didn't need to blame you, yet I did...but that was until I met the executor. After he told me about William's will, I asked myself: why did he give me half of everything he owned, including his shares in The Empire Group? If he wanted to help me get by, just money would've sufficed but instead he gave me half of his Empire. Why?"
"Maybe he had a valid reason."
"I was hoping you would say that. That 'valid reason' is why I can't just sell you my right to inherit."
"I see." Anne said as she let out a smile. She dropped her empty wine glass by her side and stood on her feet.
"Come, I want to show you something."
Henry followed Anne, as they went outside the mansion. He shivered as a cold breeze blew by. His exquisite jacket was barely capable of keeping him warm.
"What did you want to show—"
Slam.
The main entrance of the modern megamansion closed. Before Henry could realized he had been played, he heard another sound.
Click!
It was the sound of Anne locking him out.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Hero_CAD
Hero_CAD Like it? Add to library!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone