GILDED SHE-ALPHA

THE WILL

The sun was setting over the small town of Ashwood, casting a warm orange glow over the streets and homes. Anxin stood outside her father's mansion, her heart heavy with grief. She had just returned from the funeral, and now she had to face the reality of her father's passing.

Mr. Jenkins, her father's lawyer, greeted her at the door. "Anxin, I'm so sorry again for your loss," he said, his voice low and gentle. "Your father was a great man, and he'll be deeply missed."

Anxin nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. She had always been close to her father, and his passing had left a gaping hole in her life.

"Shall we proceed with the reading of the will?" Mr. Jenkins asked, his eyes sympathetic.

Anxin nodded again, steeling herself for what was to come. As they walked into the study, she noticed a tall, imposing figure standing by the window. It was her uncle, Mr. Francis, her father's brother.

Mr. Francis's eyes narrowed as he gazed at Anxin, his expression unreadable. Anxin felt a shiver run down her spine as she wondered what her uncle's presence meant.

Mr. Jenkins cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. "Let's begin," he said, unfolding the will.

As Mr. Jenkins read out the contents of the will, Anxin's eyes widened in shock. Her father had left behind a vast fortune and estate, but to her surprise, he had not left it to her.

"Mr. Collins has left his entire estate, including the mansion and all its contents, to his brother, Mr. Francis," Mr. Jenkins read, his voice steady.

Anxin felt like she had been punched in the gut. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Why would her father leave everything to her uncle?

She looked over at Mr. Francis, who was smiling smugly to himself. Anxin felt a surge of anger and resentment towards her uncle. What had he done to deserve her father's inheritance?

Mr. Jenkins continued reading the will, but Anxin wasn't listening. She was too busy trying to process what she had just heard.

As the reading of the will came to a close, Anxin felt a sense of numbness wash over her. She couldn't believe what her father had done. Why had he left everything to her uncle?

She looked over at Mr. Francis, who was now standing by the door, a self-satisfied smile on his face. Anxin felt a surge of anger towards her uncle. What was he going to do with her father's estate?

"Anxin, I know this is a shock to you," Mr. Jenkins said, his voice gentle. "But your father had his reasons for leaving his estate to your uncle."

Anxin shook her head, feeling a sense of betrayal. "What reasons?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Mr. Jenkins hesitated before speaking. "I'm not entirely sure," he said. "But I do know that your father had been making changes to his will in the months leading up to his death."

Anxin's eyes narrowed as she looked at Mr. Francis. What had he done to manipulate her father into leaving him the estate?

As the meeting came to a close, Anxin felt a sense of uncertainty wash over her. What was she going to do now? She had no idea what the future held, but she was determined to find out.

With a newfound sense of determination, Anxin stood up and faced her uncle. "I want to know why my father left everything to you," she said, her voice firm.

Mr. Francis smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "That's a question for another time, Anxin," he said. "For now, let's just say that your father had his reasons."

Anxin's eyes narrowed as she looked at her uncle. She was determined to find out what those reasons were, no matter what it took.

As she left the mansion, Anxin felt a sense of resolve wash over her. She was going to uncover the truth behind her father's will, and she was going to make sure that her uncle didn't get away with whatever he had planned.

The sun was setting over Ashwood, casting a golden glow over the town. But for Anxin, the future looked uncertain and dark.

As Anxin walked away from the mansion, she couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had settled in her stomach. Why had her father left everything to her uncle? What had Mr. Francis done to deserve such a vast inheritance?

She walked through the streets of Ashwood, her mind racing with questions and doubts. She had always thought that she was her father's closest relative, but now it seemed that her uncle had been the one he trusted the most.

As she turned a corner, Anxin saw a figure standing outside the local café. It was Mrs. Jenkins, her father's best friend's wife. Mrs. Jenkins smiled as Anxin approached, and opened her arms for a warm hug.

"Anxin, dear, I'm so sorry about your father," Mrs. Jenkins said, her voice trembling with emotion. "He was a wonderful man, and he'll be deeply missed."

Anxin nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. She had always been close to Mrs. Jenkins, and it was good to see a friendly face in the midst of all the uncertainty.

"Mrs. Jenkins, can I ask you something?" Anxin said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Of course, dear," Mrs. Jenkins replied, her eyes filled with concern. "What is it?"

"Why do you think my father left everything to my uncle?" Anxin asked, her eyes searching for answers.

Mrs. Jenkins hesitated before speaking. "I'm not entirely sure, Anxin," she said. "But I do know that your father had been acting strangely in the months leading up to his death."

Anxin's eyes narrowed as she listened to Mrs. Jenkins' words. What had her father been hiding? And what did it have to do with her uncle's inheritance?

As she continued to talk to Mrs. Jenkins, Anxin couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. She was determined to uncover the truth behind her father's will, no matter what it took.