Chapter 2 - The Second Will
The heavy steel door of the private Sterling vault hummed as I entered the security code.
Charles stood closely behind me with a tense expression on his face.
Maya remained quiet, her eyes scanning the underground room with obvious fear.
We stepped into the climate-controlled chamber where my family's most sensitive documents were kept.
I walked directly to the safety deposit box assigned to my late father.
I used my master key to open the heavy metal drawer.
Resting on top of my mother's old jewelry boxes was a pristine manila envelope.
It was sealed with red wax bearing the Sterling family crest.
I broke the seal with trembling fingers and pulled out the legal documents.
"This is impossible," I muttered as I read the first page.
The document was an updated version of my father's final will.
It clearly stated that if a living heir of my bloodline was ever discovered, I would immediately lose my controlling shares.
"Why would your father do that?" Charles asked, leaning closer to read the text.
"He wouldn't," I replied with absolute certainty.
I read the next paragraph aloud to the silent room.
"Full control of the Sterling empire shall transfer entirely to the child's designated legal guardian until she reaches the age of twenty-five."
Maya gasped and pointed a shaking finger at the signature line.
The designated legal guardian listed on the document was not Adrian.
The name printed in bold black ink was Charles Whitmore.
I slowly turned around to look at the oldest member of our board.
Charles did not look surprised anymore.
May you like
He reached into his tuxedo jacket and pulled out a small, suppressed pistol.
"I am truly sorry you had to find out this way, Evelyn," Charles whispered.
