FATAL BEQUEST

CHAPTER2

The living room is packed, with everyone affiliated with Leonardo Morano gathered to hear his last will and testament. Anna stood at the front, her expression stern and somber as she began to read from the document.

“LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF LEONARDO MORANO".

I, Leonardo Morano, of sound mind and disposing memory, do hereby declare this to be my last will and testament.

To my butler and loyal friend Alfred, I leave you the farmhouse and surrounding land,

as well as a generous sum of money, Alfred's face softens with emotions and his eyes become a bit teary.

To my dear Nonna, thank you for taking up the responsibility of raising my children ever since the passing of their mother. You have always been the rock of our family and your wisdom, love and guidance have shaped us to who we are today. I remain eternally grateful. To you, I leave a generous sum and the beach house in Amalfi, which has been in our family for generations. I hope you will continue to enjoy the sunsets and sea breeze and that it remains a place of joy and gathering for years to come.

A warm smile spreads across Nonna's face, and she nods her head in gratitude.

To my son, Bruno, you have always been reckless and impulsive, but I know you have a good heart. Use your talents wisely and always be loyal to the family.

To you, I leave my vintage car collection, my watch collection and a small trust fund, hoping you will use it wisely.

And finally to my beloved daughter Camilla, you have always been the most capable and level-headed of my children, so much like your mother. To you, I leave the entirety of my business empire, including all assets, investments and properties, to be managed and controlled by you, as you have always shown the most aptitude and dedication to our family”

The room falls silent with shocked gasps. Camilla's eyes widen with shock, Bruno's face turns red with rage and disbelief his venomous glare darting between Anna and Camilla “What the…!

This can't be! You can't be serious! Camilla on the other hand, although shocked, maintains her composure and tries not to show any emotion.

Anna continues, “And now, if you will all please turn your attention to the screen for the final message by Leonardo Morano”

The lights dimmed, and a TV screen descended from the ceiling showing Leonardo Morano's face, his voice booming through the speakers.

“My dear family and friends, this may come as a shock to some of you, but I have every confidence in Camilla's ability to lead our family's empire to even greater heights, and I have no doubt she will make me proud. Bruno, my son, I know you may feel disappointed, but I implore you to support your sister and work together for the good of the family's legacy. Goodbye my dear family”

The whispering and murmuring continues and Bruno's face is twisted in anger and betrayal, his eyes fixed on Camilla with a burning resentment. Camilla on the other hand, has an expression of resolve and still a hint of surprise.

Bruno points a shaking finger at Camilla “You conniving b***h! You planned this, didn't you? I don't know how you did it but you did it somehow! Dad would never do this!”

Anna tried to sympathize with him, “Can you please calm down?” Bruno leaped from his seat.“I don't believe this, I'll contend this will even if it's the last thing I do! It's mine! This house, this empire, IT'S ALL MINE!” his voice rising to a deafening pitch. Camilla watched him calmly, her expression unyielding, while Nonna tried to intervene, “Mio Caro, please calm down, let's talk peacefully as a family” but Bruno was beyond reasoning, his anger and hurt pride burned even more “I'll contest this! You will not take everything from me Camilla, I'm the son! The rightful heir!” Anna's expression remained calm and her voice was firm,

“I understand you're upset, Bruno, but the will is ironclad, and any lawyer that takes up your case is just in for a pay day. Father was very specific in his will and there are no grounds for contesting it” Bruno's eyes widened in rage “Ironclad?! You think a piece of paper can keep me from what's rightfully mine? I'll break it, I'll tear it apart! You just wait and see, Camilla!” In humiliation, he stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him and leaving an uncomfortable silence in the room.

Camilla's expression softened slightly, her eyes showed a hint of compassion for her brother. Bruno's sports car screeched out of the driveway as he sped away from the mansion. He drove erratically, weaving and swerving in and out of lanes, his anger and frustration boiling over. Suddenly, he swerved onto the side of the road, slamming on the brakes and bringing the car to a sudden stop. He slammed his fist on the wheel repeatedly as if it would reduce or take away his anger, but it didn't, it only exhausted him even more.

He restarts the car and speeds off to his usual hangout. An underground club, the kind of place that only comes alive after dark.

The riot of colors on the wall, swirling multi-coloured lights, loud, throbbing beats from the huge speakers, people who were high on whatever and could barely walk without tripping or stumbling. Bruno burst through a black door with a small sign that read “Eclipse” and walked towards the group of familiar faces.

“Hey guys, what have you got for me?” His eyes scanned through the table filled with drugs, pills and alcohol of all sorts. Without waiting for an answer, he snatched a nearby bong, lit it and inhaled the acrid smoke, filling his lungs before exhaling. His eyes glazed over and soon lost focus as the drug intoxicated him. He felt his anger and frustration drifting away, and he began floating in sweet euphoria in that moment. He had forgotten his father's betrayal and all that mattered was the rush of pleasure coursing through him. As the night continued, Bruno's behavior became more erratic, he was loud, picking fights and groping the females. He stumbled around the club knocking over tables and spilling drinks. His ‘friends’ tried to intervene, but he brushed them off.

The bouncers, tired of his antics, approached him, ready to toss him out.

But just as they were about to grab him, they hesitated, exchanging a nervous glance. They knew the weight the Morano family name carried and didn't want to risk crossing them.

Bruno staggered his way past the bouncers, tripped over and fell on a nearby couch. He passed out at that moment. A call was placed to the Morano family estate, and soon after, Alfred the butler, arrived to collect him.