“He didn’t want to leave his empire to someone who would become dependent on it.”
“He wanted to test me?”
“Yes.”
“And if I fail?”
“You inherit nothing.”
I stared at the document.
For the first time since meeting Richard, I felt angry.
“You find me living in my car after my father threw me out, and you tell me my grandfather deliberately waited until now to see what I’d do?”
Richard didn’t flinch.
“He didn’t know your father would throw you out.”
“But he knew I was struggling.”
“Yes.”
“Then why didn’t he help me?”
“Because the will was designed to protect you.”
“From what?”
Richard looked directly into my eyes.
“Your family.”
The words made my chest tighten.
“What are you talking about?”
Richard placed one final document in front of me.
This one wasn’t from the estate.
It was a bank statement.
My bank statement.
My old savings account.
The account containing the three thousand dollars my father had taken.
I stared at the numbers.
Then I noticed something.
There were transactions I didn’t recognize.
“What’s this?”
Richard pointed at the withdrawals.
“Your father didn’t spend your money on your brother’s applications.”
My jaw tightened.
“Then what did he spend it on?”
Richard turned the page.
“Legal fees.”
I looked at him.
“Legal fees for what?”
“His attempt to gain control of your grandfather’s company.”
I felt something inside me crack.
He had taken every dollar I had.
Not for my brother.
Not for rent.
Not for food.
For himself.
Richard continued.
“And that’s why your grandfather included another clause.”
I looked at him.
“What clause?”
Richard slid a final sheet toward me.
“This one.”
I read it.
Then I read it again.
My father’s name appeared in the middle of the page.
Underneath it was a sentence that made my blood run cold.
If Daniel Brooks has knowingly concealed this inheritance from Nathan Brooks, interfered with correspondence, or misappropriated Nathan’s personal funds, he shall receive nothing from the Brooks estate and shall be subject to legal action.
