Chapter two: Jaxon’s POV.
1029 Words
What the f**k just happened?
“Oh, Jaxon dear, I’m so glad you’re back. See, the lawyer is even here. He’s here to read your father’s will.” She said, with her eyes bright with guile joy.
I knew she was up to something. Something that would ruin this family. She had always been like that, deceitful, and had something hidden in her cupboard.
Not to even mind the fact that I once caught her hugging this same lawyer before even when father was still alive. But I waved it off because I was stupid then. Now I was wiser and I knew there was something between the two.
I lingered my gaze on her before shifting to the lawyer who held a delightful face on him.
“I’m so sorry for your loss.” He said.
Fine, can everyone stop reminding me that I lost someone? The next person who greets me that way would see the evil side of me.
He took a step forward, his hand stretched forward for a handshake.
A chill ran down my spine, and a disgusted feeling etched on my face as I squeezed my lips, staring right into his face.
He should have been smart enough to see that I was not interested in reciprocating this handshake.
He was a damn thief. I better be wrong. Father has always held him close to his heart and he had the balls to do this to him.
It better not be true. “May I have a minute of your time?” I asked, both of us excusing ourselves to the dining room.
I knew he’d be shocked at my reaction to him.
“Is anything the matter, Mr. Steele?”
“How about you tell me how much Mary paid you to forge my father’s will?”
“What?” he said, as I yanked him by the collar.
This was what I hated- criminals trying to play the smart game with me. It digested me to the core.
“I hate when someone tries to play smart with me, Mr. Alex. I asked you a question, but I’ll do you a favour by repeating it. Did you forge my father’s will?”
“With all due respect, Mr. Steele, I do not know what you’re talking about. How can you make such a claim about me? I’ve been your father’s lawyer for years, and our friendship has grown along. For what reason do I have to gain when I forge his will?”
Everything in his eyes seemed genuine. But it was high time I believed that the worst and evil ones are those with pitiful eyes. I couldn’t be deceived by it, but everything in me still yelled that he was telling the truth.
‘You are lying. Tell me the f*****g truth.”
“What truth, Mr. Steele? What do I stand to gain for forging his will, huh?”
“Then explain the envelope she gave to you. What was it for? What does it contain?” there was this warm stare in his eyes and his forehead started sweating.
“Personal information, Mr. Steele. I cannot disclose it to you, I’m sorry.”
I gazed at him long enough to tell something was wrong somewhere, and he was not telling me the truth. No doubt that he and my father had been friends for years, but there are bad friends and he could be one of them.
“Why did you hug her then? The hug was more than a friendly hug, Mr. Alex. It was a more intimate”
Before I could blink, Mary was on the scene already.
“What the hell is going on here, Mr. Alex?”
He shifted his gaze to me. “No, it’s not serious.” He stammered as he excused himself.
A sting struck my chest. It better not be guilt.
“Look, Jaxon, if you want to be stupid, please don’t do that here. I saw you pull him by the shirt. For what reason would you do that? He’s our family lawyer and your late father’s friend, why are you acting like an asshole?”
“Asshole?” I took steps toward her, my head blank on what exactly to say to her.
“Stay out of my business, you whore.”
I went into the living room since that was where the will would be read.
*************
We had all gathered, waiting to hear what our fate would be.
I had phoned the chauffeur to no longer wait for me in the car. Perhaps I might not go to work. Let’s just see how everything went.
More than three hours had been spent already, and thank goodness that everyone was present already – Steve, Uncle Raymond, Aunt Lucille, me, and the old b***h who called me an asshole; Mary Steele.
It still disgusts me to this day that she has my surname.
“I believe every one of us is present,” Mr. Alex said.
Can we just get this done with? I heaved a great sigh, trying so hard to be perceived as “impatient”.
"As the appointed executor of Mr. Jonathan Steele's estate, I will now read his last will.
I, Jonathan Evans, declare this to be my last will. To my eldest son, Jaxon Steele, ownership of the estate in Surrey. A 30% stake in Steele Corporation, $300 million, and my vintage car collection.
To my younger son, Steve, Steele, the Chelsea apartment. A 25% stake in the Steele Corporation, $250 million, and my yacht in Monaco –“he said, swallowing hard.
Nothing seemed to be wrong here. Hold on a second.
“And to my wife, Mary Steele, full ownership of our home in Hampstead Heath and its contents. $400 million for her personal use. A 35% stake in Steele Corporation for her continued involvement and willingness to make the son of her choice CEO.
All remaining assets shall be equally split between my wife, William, and Edward. That concludes the reading of the will."
Willingness to make the son of her choice CEO. What does that even mean?
- Writer
