The Favored Heiress
Chapter 519: Announcing the Will

Chapter 519: Chapter 519: Announcing the Will

Li Qiao listened to Shang Yu’s voice, her tone carrying a faint smile, "Mm, then let’s meet at the airport."

The man keenly felt there was an undertone to her words and in the next moment, heard someone speaking to Li Qiao.

She covered the receiver with her hand and responded a few times until the person walked away, then she looked at the screen again, "I’m going to be busy now."

...

As evening approached, Li Qiao left the research institute early and, after greeting Duan Shuyuan, drove herself to her grandfather’s residence, Palm Residence.

After nearly an hour’s drive, upon arrival, she found that the cars of the Li Family and Li Jun were already parked outside.

Li Qiao walked into the yard at a leisurely pace, where the old butler greeted her enthusiastically.

"How has Grandpa been recently?"

The butler said cheerfully, "Quite good, there have been no complications since the surgery, and the old master has been eating well, sleeping well, and is in good spirits."

Li Qiao nodded her head and after entering, she placed the fruit in her hand on the living room table, then turned towards the dining room, Manchurian Garden.

Today, only Duan Shuyuan’s family and her younger uncle Duan Yuanhui were invited by Elder Duan Jingming for the meal.

With neither the eldest uncle nor the eldest aunt present, the atmosphere at the dining table was quite harmonious.

The Elder sat at the head of the table, sipped his tea, and then looked at the two empty seats, asking, "Xiao Yan and Xiao Cheng aren’t here again?"

Duan Shuyuan pursed her lips, "Mm, those two are always running around outside, forget about them."

Duan Jingming sighed with a hint of melancholy and then turned his head to instruct the butler, "Go get my things."

The butler promptly left the dining room, and the old master, with a voice tinged with age, began again, "I called you here today because I want to talk about the will."

"Dad?" Duan Yuanhui, who was leaning against the corner of the table, furrowed his brow upon hearing this, "Why bring up the will all of a sudden?"

Duan Jingming glanced at him but did not answer, continuing, "I didn’t want to disclose the matter of the will so early, but Duan Yuanhong and Duan Shuhua have been coming to see me recently.

Since they can no longer hold back, I might as well tell you directly."

As he spoke, the butler returned, carrying several kraft paper bags.

At Duan Jingming’s signal, he handed out the bags to everyone and then left the dining room.

The Elder nodded towards the kraft paper bags, "You open them and take a look, inside are the copies of the will certification.

No matter what, it should be my prerogative to decide how my money is distributed and to whom.

I’m not senile yet, nor do I need anyone else to teach me how to distribute it fairly."

After he finished speaking, everyone at the table looked up at him.

No one was a fool; they could all hear Elder Jingming hinting at Duan Yuanhong and Duan Shuhua.

Duan Shuyuan, holding the kraft bag, looked somewhat displeased, "Dad, is it because of big sister and the others..."

The Elder raised his hand and shook his head with pursed lips, "What they want to do is none of my concern. As for the copies in your hands, they represent the amount of the estate I’ve allocated to each of you.

I’ve already had someone deliver Duan Yuanhong’s and Duan Shuhua’s portions to them. It’s up to them whether they agree or not.

I’ve had the will re-notarized, and I’ve included the parts for Xiao Yan, Xiao Cheng, and even what belongs to Zong Yue.

Take a look for yourselves; if anybody has any objections, we can discuss them here at the dining table."

"You’re free to share any thoughts you have, but I’m not going to change the content of the will," said Duan Yuanhui.

Mr. and Mrs. Li looked at each other, a mix of laughter and tears in their expressions.

Li Qiao was staring at her phone with her head down, never once opening the document throughout.

Including Zong Yue and Li Jun, they also sat openly and upright, showing no intention of taking a look.

The atmosphere around the table became subtly charged. Duan Yuanhui casually set the manila envelope aside, pinching the bridge of his nose, "Dad, did big brother and sister pressure you into this?"

Wills were already a delicate matter, and since Elder Ming was still alive, was there really any need for those two to rush for the inheritance so eagerly?

Had they no shame?

Duan Jingming’s mouth corners drooped, and his wrinkled face plainly showed his age. "Even if they pressured me, it’d be useless. The will has been notarized, and no one but me can change it.

Everyone keep your copies safe. If anything happens to me one day, the lawyer will bring the will to you."

"Dad, you’re in such good health, don’t talk about such morbid things anymore."

Li Guangming poured more tea for the old man. Sitting close by, he could almost see the concealed heartache beneath his calm exterior.

Setting down the teapot, he eyed Duan Jingming and suddenly suggested, "If they keep bothering you, why not stay at our place for a while?

We have plenty of space at home, and even if they try to cause trouble, they might not even get in. Don’t let such trivial matters affect your health."

Hearing this, Duan Shuyuan also nodded in timely agreement, "Right, Dad, come stay with us. We can bring the servants over too; more people means more lively."

Duan Jingming, looking at the earnest expressions of Mr. and Mrs. Li, smiled and waved his hands, "Forget it, I’m used to living here. I wouldn’t be comfortable in a different place.

You don’t need to worry about me. They wouldn’t dare talk nonsense with me. It’s a bit annoying, but the will has been notarized, so it’s set in stone.

Well, that’s mainly what I wanted to discuss today. Let’s have dinner."

...

At eight in the evening, the two families left Palm Residence.

Duan Jingming and the butler stood outside the door, sighing deeply as they watched the departing cars.

The butler, slightly stooped, withdrew his gaze to look at the man beside him, "Old Master Ming, why don’t you just tell them outright about the lawsuit that eldest son and second son are going to file against you?"

Duan Jingming gave a long sigh and a sardonic chuckle, hand behind his back, "What would that change if I told them? Those heartless creatures have tormented me enough; why would I want to burden Xiao Yuan and the others?"

The butler lamented with a pained expression, "That may be true, but you can’t keep it hidden forever. Maybe if you speak up, your son-in-law might be able to get rid of the lawsuit for you."

Elder Ming, being a well-respected intellectual, had mentored many throughout his life. And now, to end up being sued by his own children was an embarrassment one couldn’t help but laugh at.

"I want to see what sort of spectacle those two can create."

On the way back, Li Qiao followed in her Mercedes G-Class behind Li Jun’s business van.

As the car drew further away, she glanced in the rearview mirror at the figure shrinking in the distance, her eyes narrowing, her expression cold.

It was unusual for Grandpa to suddenly announce the will.

If he wanted to talk about it, he wouldn’t have cautioned her so carefully about keeping it a secret at the hospital back then.

During dinner tonight, she had seen Grandpa hesitate several times as if he faced a dilemma or didn’t know how to broach a difficult topic.

Li Qiao took the phone off the dashboard and casually dialed a few numbers, then requested, "Send two people to keep watch near Palm Residence. Inform me immediately if there’s any situation."