Mr. Sterling came in carrying a thick leather folder. He sat down, adjusted his glasses, and looked at all of us. His gaze lingered on me for a second longer than necessary—unreadable—before turning to Curtis.
—We will now proceed with the reading of Mr. Arthur’s last will and testament—announced Sterling.
Curtis drummed his fingers on the table.
—Let’s get to the point, Sterling. Let’s talk about liquid assets and properties. I’ve got a trip to Monaco on Friday and I need cash.
The lawyer read the legal preambles. Curtis sighed impatiently. Finally, Sterling reached the division of assets.
—“To my only son, Curtis, I bequeath the ownership of the family mansion, the collection of cars, and the sum of seventy-five million dollars…”
Curtis slammed his fist on the table and stood up, triumphant.
“I knew it!” he shouted, ignoring protocol. “It’s all mine! Mine!” He turned to me with a cruel smile. “Did you hear that, Vanessa? Seventy-five million. And you have… nothing. You’re pathetic.”
I sat frozen, humiliation burning my throat. His advisors snickered. I could already picture myself leaving there, defeated one last time.
Curtis grabbed his bag.
—Okay, Sterling. Get the transfers ready. I’m out of here.
“Sit down, Mr. Curtis,” Mr. Sterling said. His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried authority that chilled the room. “I’m not finished.”
Curtis paused, annoyed, but sat down.
Sterling turned the page. The rustle of paper was the only sound in the room.
“There’s an additional clause,” the lawyer said, looking Curtis straight in the eye. “A clause your father drafted two days before he went into a coma. It’s titled ‘Loyalty and Character Clause.’”
Curtis rolled his eyes.
—Dad and his moral lessons. Skip it.
“I can’t skip it,” Sterling replied. “Because the inheritance is conditional on this clause.”
He cleared his throat and began reading in a firm voice:
—“I’ve amassed a fortune by building strong foundations. But a house won’t stand if the foundation is rotten. I’ve watched my son Curtis for years. I’ve seen his vanity, his selfishness, and, sadly, his lack of empathy toward his own father. But I’ve also watched Vanessa.”
My heart stuttered. Arthur… mentioned me?
Sterling continued: