REVENGE OR LOVE

Untitled Episode

CHAPTER TWO: FAMILY

The sound of the massive TV on the wall echoed loudly across the dining room as the voices of two television presenters came from it. They were talking about Lora’s tragic death. “It is a pity, she was the richest female in the whole of New York City,” one of the presenters said in a grieving voice. Suddenly, the TV flickered and went off. Everyone in the massive parlor turned to see who had turned it off, but their gazes all fell on Mrs. Gracia Malcom, Lora’s stepmother, as she walked towards the head of the table, and a maid drew out a chair for her to sit on. “I do not want anyone in this house to listen to all the news in this mansion. With all that has happened, we have less than twenty-four hours to prepare for her funeral and I would like everything to be done without the media. "I don’t want more dramas because we can’t afford to have more bad news about the company. "Her death has already affected the stocks and so many shareholders are withdrawing funds, and it’s all in the news, just because an incapable ant died doesn’t mean our company should fall with her.” She said to everyone on the table before telling the maids to serve the food. “Do we really have to give her a funeral? "We’re just half-sisters.” Diama murmured. “Would you keep quiet and eat your meal, we’re just half-sisters you said, right? What else can you do aside from spending money, partying, shopping and clubbing? Mrs. Malcolm responded angrily, “Do you want the whole media to start accusing me again? And I am sure this time the headlines will be Mr. Malcolm’s mistress refuses to give her stepdaughter a funeral.

“I am full, thank you” Sam, Mrs. Malcolm’s only son said as the maid pulled the chair back so he could stand up as he started walking towards the stairs. His mother’s voice echoed again, stopping him in his tracks. “Call the lawyer after the funeral tomorrow, I want the will to be read, okay?” he responded with a simple “Okay” before walking away. Eventually, everyone got up from the table without enjoying their breakfast.

As if time flew, morning came quickly, and Lora was going to be laid to rest. New York City was in total uproar. People still found it hard to believe that she was really dead. Even though the sky wasn’t bright, the trees around the cemetery kept moving so hard that they threatened to uproot from the soil. The bereaved family stood in front of the golden-decorated casket; the company staff and friends stood on the other side. Each person had a sad emoji on their face, covering their real reaction. Zachary watched with tears in his eyes. He had so many questions running through his mind, questions like, was the fire an accident? Was someone responsible for her death? If someone was really responsible, who were they?? Are they here? Where are they hiding? Was it Malcolm’s?? His thoughts were interrupted when the priest said “in the name of God the father, the son and the Holy Spirit.” Everyone choruses a sad “Amen”. Zachary couldn’t bear to watch as the casket was lowered into the grave. He walked towards his car and drove off.

Soon he was in front of Imperium Gold refinery. It was Lora’s company, the world's largest gold refinery. He stood outside for some minutes, watching in utter disbelief. “How could she be so stupid to have let herself die in such a cruel manner, such a selfish lady?” He said, wiping another stray tear from the corner of his eye. He walked into the large building, the staff bowed to him as he walked through the hall. Some offered condolences, but he didn’t respond. He just walked until he was in her office. It was empty, filled with untouched papers, documents and files. He picked up her laptop from the table, removed the SD cards from the CCTV camera monitor, picked up important files and documents. He moves into the next room; it was a typical example of a small but expensive apartment, it had a room and toilet. He walked towards the bed-drawer and pulled it out, revealing the content of the drawer but the only thing the caught his mind was the little safe in there. He brought it out, has memories flooded his mind, he remembers her asking him to place the safe in the bedside drawer and should only bring it out if she was no longer here. “Why did she say I that I can only open the safe if she was no longer here??” did she know that she would die soon?? He asked himself a gain. “Mysterious lady” he added angrily as he finally picked up a little box that looked abandoned and untouched. He dusted it and opened it slightly, to his surprise, he saw lots of luxurious credit cards with her name on it. Some were black and some were Gold. What kind of girl were you, Lora?? He asked no one in particular as he gathered all the important things he needed into a carton and walked back into his car and sped off.

The next day, the Malcolm’s family members all gathered on the dining table waiting for the lawyer to arrive with Lora’s will, they were so eager to split her money and take over her company, that they couldn’t even give her a mourning period. Soon on of the maids walked into the hall with the lawyer Mr. Walden. Mr. Walden has been the Malcolm’s family lawyer for years but today it felt like he was in a lion’s den, but he decided to act professional, he greeted everyone on the table and took a seat. “I am here today to read miss Lora will.

“I read,” the lawyer began slowly. “Here is from the original version:

The last will and testament of Lora Anthio Malcolm

I, Lora Anthio Malcolm, being of sound mind and disposing memory, do hereby declare this to be my Last Will and Testament.

ARTICLE I: SHAREHOLDERS

I direct that all the shareholders of Imperium Gold Refinery shall continue to hold onto their shares, without any change in ownership or distribution. This instruction is binding on my estate and all beneficiaries.

ARTICLE II: INHERITANCE AND PROPERTIES

I devise and bequeath all of my inheritances and properties and real-estates personal, tangible and intangible, wherever situated, should be given to my husband. However, since I am not currently married, I instead give, devise, and bequeath all of my inheritances and properties as follows:

Ama's Hope Foundation (NGO) - 50% of my total assets, including my residential properties at Albany

Healing Hands Charity - 30% of my total assets, including my investment portfolio

Empowerment Through Education Initiative - 20% of my total assets, including my savings account

I intend for these organizations to use my inheritances and properties to further their charitable purposes and benefit society.

ARTICLE III: EXECUTOR

I appoint Mr. Walden as the Executor of my estates. My Executor shall have all powers necessary to manage, administer, and distribute my estate according to this Will.

I give my company, Imperium Gold Refinery to my step mother Mrs. Gracia Malcolm and the Malcolm family.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 19th day of December, 2022.

Ama Anthio Malcolm's Signature.

“What??” Mrs. Gracia screamed as she picked up the glass in front of her and threw it on the wall. “I had always known that this girl is a good for nothing, she gave all of her shares to total strangers and only gave the company to the family”

“Mom, you’ve always wanted the company and she gave you that” Diama said while picking up her phone, “I am going back to my room” she added. Her mom looked at her with all kinds of emotion, “I am actually ashamed to be your mom, all your life you’ve been going to your room while Lora has always been busy making money and being the richest lady in the whole of New York city” Diama stopped in her tracks and turned to look at her mom unfazed she snorted “but why do you want everything she owns? I don’t want anything that belongs to her, I have my shares from father’s company and I haven’t even touched the money father gave me after he died why should I want what belongs to her” “not like you like her” she added silently

“What did you Say??” Mrs. Gracia asked but before she could say another word, the massive door that led to the dining hall open widely and a maid rushed in shakily and bowed “I tried to stop him ma’am but he wouldn’t listen” everyone turned to look at the door to see who it was that was forcing himself into the room.

It was Zachary, he walked to the center of the room without giving a damn.

He was no longer the groomed assistant from the gala. His face was leaner, tired. His suit was plain, his expression distant but polite. In his hand was a single polished cream-colored envelope.

He walked to the center of the room and placed it in front of Gracia.

“Look who we have here, Mr. Zachary Blake,” Mrs. Gracia said

“I am here to formally announce that I won’t be working for the Malcolms anymore.

Mrs. Gracia raised a manicured eyebrow, her lips curling slightly as she thought for a while before responding, “Oh, is that so?”

“When Mr. Anthio employed me here, he told me that the only person I must serve and work for was Miss Lora, and if she’s no longer here, then my work here is done, Head of Family Mrs. Gracia Anthio.” He said coldly as he continued, “And absolutely no one here can stop me, I can promise that’s not a threat, and I believe that I have the right to resign since it was the term of my employment.”

There was absolute silence for what seemed like an eternity. When he was sure that his message had been well received, he took a single bow and walked out of the room, leaving the polished cream envelope on the table in front of her.

The room remained still, but unease crept in like smoke beneath a door. The atmosphere threatened war as it tensed up; everywhere was silent as the lawyer thought the best thing he could do for himself was to announce his departure as he walked out of the dining room.

Outside, clouds gathered. A storm was coming.

And somewhere in the shadows of London, something unknown stirred.