Part 4: The Will Reading
The conference room at the lawyer's office was silent.
My parents sat beside Diane, already dressed in expensive black designer clothing.
Diane smiled confidently as if she owned the building.
She barely looked at me.
The attorney began reading.
Small donations.
Charitable gifts.
Family keepsakes.
Then came the estate.
"My primary residence..."
Diane sat up straighter.
"...shall pass to my granddaughter, Angela Stewart."
Silence.
"...along with my investment accounts, savings, and the remaining assets."
Diane's smile disappeared.
My mother stood.
"That's impossible!"
The attorney calmly continued.
"There is also an attached clause."
He unfolded another page.
"'Should Diane Stewart be found to have manipulated, threatened, assaulted, or intentionally deceived Angela Stewart regarding this estate, she shall receive one dollar only.'"
Diane shot to her feet.
"He's lying!"
At that exact moment Daniel Harper entered the room carrying a laptop.
"I don't think he is."
The attorney nodded.
"Mr. Harper?"
Daniel connected the laptop to the conference room television.
The security footage filled the screen.
Every second.
Every word.
Every blow.
No one spoke.
My father's face turned white.
My mother's hands began shaking uncontrollably.
When Diane heard her own voice whisper,
"You don't deserve anything..."
she stumbled backward.
Then collapsed onto the carpet.
She had fainted.
The room remained completely silent.
May you like
Until the attorney quietly closed the file.
"I believe this concludes today's proceedings."
