Falling For My Accidental CEO Husband
Chapter 106: Reading The Will

Chapter 106: Reading The Will

"Just because someone hasn’t bothered to show up doesn’t mean we should be left waiting here," a nasally voice cut through the silence in the austere library. The room, filled with old books and dim light, grew more tense with each passing second. All eyes turned toward the lawyer seated at the head of the long table.

The older man who had spoken leaned forward, his fingers tapping impatiently on the polished wood. He glanced around the room, trying to gain support from the others before turning his sharp gaze back to the lawyer. "We’ve waited long enough."

The lawyer remained calm, unfazed by the attempt to pressure him. He adjusted his glasses and spoke evenly. "The contents of the will can only be revealed once all parties are present. We will wait."

Before the older man could argue further, the heavy door creaked open, drawing everyone’s attention. Sidney Price stepped into the room. His face was as unreadable as ever, his movements deliberate.

Ignoring the man, the older man leaned back in his chair, and looked behind him, but no one else seemed to have accompanied the man. A smug grin formed on his lips. "Ah, Sidney Price. And you’ve come without your dear friend," he said with mockery in his voice. "Couldn’t convince her to face the family? Is she that happy living in poverty?"

Sidney shot him a cold, sharp look, silencing him instantly. Without a word, he turned to the lawyer. "She’ll be here shortly," Sidney said firmly. He took a seat, his expression blank as the room fell back into tense silence.

From the other side of the table, a younger woman, dressed in a sleek black dress, leaned in with a more pointed tone. "Shouldn’t we just move on?" she asked, her voice light but with a hint of impatience. "If someone can’t make it, for whatever reason, surely we don’t have to keep waiting. What happens if they don’t come? Do we just sit here forever?"

The lawyer sighed, clearly accustomed to such questions but still maintaining his calm professionalism. "We will allow for a reasonable amount of time. If the party still doesn’t arrive, there are procedures in place. But, as of now, we will wait."

The woman huffed softly, folding her arms as she leaned back in her chair. The older man chuckled under his breath, his smug grin growing wider as he glanced between Sidney and the lawyer.

"Reasonable amount of time," he muttered mockingly. "We all know what this is about. Stalling, because some people think they can avoid what’s coming. But no one can outrun the truth forever. She did everything she could, only to lose in the end."

Just then, after what felt like an eternity, the heavy door opened again. A woman entered the library, her presence cold and commanding. She swept past the group, ignoring the curious stares that followed her. With a calm determination, she took a seat at the opposite end of the table.

The lawyer, glancing up from his notes, asked carefully, "Are you Serena Dawn?"

She nodded, her expression unreadable as she settled into her chair. The others exchanged glances, but she did not even bother to look at anyone, not even Sidney who had stood up at her entrance.

Clearing his throat, the lawyer opened the folder in front of him. "Thank you for joining us, Ms. Dawn. As stipulated, this will can only be read eighteen months after Edwina Dawn’s death. And her wish was that everyone from her family be present together here when she passes away." He paused for a moment, scanning the room. "Now that everyone is here, I will begin."

"To my beloved sons, Daniel and Matthew, I leave my entire estates and the properties in the city." The two older men nodded at the news, pleased with this. Edwina Dawn was not a simple woman. She was the owner of one of the largest corporations in the world. Her estates and propoerties in a single city alone meant that they could have an easy life for many future generations.

"And to my cherished grandchildren, Lucas, Sophia, and Ava, I leave the trust funds established for your education and future endeavors." The lawyer paused, allowing the news to settle in.

Daniel and Matthew exchanged satisfied smirks. It seemed they had all won, and the atmosphere shifted to one of celebration, each family member envisioning the future they would carve from their newfound wealth.

Daniel then turned to Serena and Sidney, " It seems even marriage could not help you get my mother’s trust! There, you’d believed that she would leave you everything didn;t you.. But it seems that is not true. She didn’t even think of you in her last moments. You were nothing but a servant to my mother. Do you understand?"

While Serena simply continued to stare at the lawyer, ignoring the man, Sidney could not take it. He banged his hand on the table. " That’s rich coming from you, Daniel. You and I both know who deserved what!"

Matthew shrugged, " What did he say wrong? My mother took her in when no one would and she even gave her our name. But the truth does not change. She was nothing but a servant to her. She took care of her in her last years, but that doesn’t grant her a place at the table. She was never part of this family."

Before the two men could actually begin a full blown argument, the lawyer raised his hand and interjected,"Enough. The will has not been read in its entirety."

That caught everyone’s attention as Daniel and Matthew both frowned at the lawyer," What do you mean, it hasn’t been read? Hasn’t everything already been given out?"

Actually, there are additional provisions in this that will alter the landscape of everyone’s inheritance."

The room fell silent, all eyes fixed on the lawyer as he rifled through the documents. "Edwina understood the potential for rivalry and conflict among her heirs. Therefore, she included a clause that stipulates any attempts to contest the will result in significant penalties."