Chapter 6 The Inheritance
1157 Words
"You're lying! I want to see Mom!" I refused to believe her lies.
"Oh, Soraya, you're really starting to make me feel sorry for you," Daisy said slowly, savoring every word. "Listen closely, this house has nothing left that belongs to you! Your credit cards have all been frozen, too!"
"You think I'm going to believe you? You're a liar!" I shot back.
Daisy raised her chin haughtily, looking down at me. "Lyon, tell her."
Seeing the familiar butler, I grabbed his arm like a lifeline. "Lyon! I'm a Sherwood, and I always will be! You know me. You won't side with Daisy, right?"
But he stepped back, keeping his distance. Clearing his throat, he said, "I'm sorry, Miss. This is Mrs. Sherwood's decision. It's also stated in Mr. Sherwood's will."
My eyes widened in shock. "What?"
Lyon's gaze briefly flashed with sympathy, but he maintained a businesslike tone. "Ms. Sherwood, you have no right to inherit anything."
"What? I don't believe it!" I yelled in fury. This couldn't be happening. How could Dad be so heartless?
"Enough with the shouting," Daisy said, admiring her nails and not even glancing at me. "It's painful to listen to."
I wanted to scream at her, but then, out of nowhere, a familiar figure emerged. It was Mom!
Hope flared up inside me. "Mom! Daisy's lying, right?"
Mom's expression was cold. "If you mean that you can't inherit anything from this family, then she's not lying."
My heart sank, and I seemed to lose all my confidence. After hearing Mom's words, I felt drained, as though life had been sucked out of me.
How could this happen? How could Dad do this to me? Anger and despair hit me like a tidal wave.
"Ms. Sherwood!"
A familiar, kind voice temporarily pulled me out of my overwhelming despair.
It was Ellie!
Her face was covered in tears as she opened her arms, rushing towards me for a hug.
God knew how much I needed that hug right now.
But Mom scowled as she raised her hand, and a few people quickly moved to block Ellie.
Ellie kept struggling. "Madam! Have some mercy on your daughter! She's your child! You raised her!"
I took the chance to beg, hoping for even the smallest opportunity. "Mom, I just want to say goodbye to Ellie. Can I do that?"
At that moment, I didn't care about dignity. I just needed to look obedient, hoping that would give me a chance to get back inside the house.
But even that small request was denied. Mom coldly turned and walked away, having Ellie dragged off.
"Oh, by the way," Daisy said, handing me her phone with the news page open. "Have you seen the big news today, Soraya? You must've been too upset to check. It's time to congratulate me."
I looked at the screen, and the headlines hit me like a punch. "Daisy Sherwood Becomes New Owner of Sherwood Enterprises!"
"Mrs. Eleanor Sherwood Officially Cuts Ties with Soraya Sherwood, Heiress Kicked Out of the Family!"
Daisy reveled in my misery, her cruel smile growing wider. She leaned in and whispered mockingly, "My poor cousin. I wonder where you'll sleep tonight? On the streets? In some alley? I hear there are a lot of rough homeless men around."
I glared at her stubbornly. "I'll find somewhere to stay."
"Really?" She laughed like I'd told the funniest joke. "Well, go ahead and try. Do you think your friends will help you under the threat of the boss of the biggest company in town?"
I left my once-familiar home and wandered the streets. The sky was growing darker, and Daisy's words echoed in my ears like a curse.
I knew she was probably right. She could easily threaten all my friends into abandoning me.
But I couldn't give up just yet. I kept calling them, but every call went unanswered.
Looking at a street sign, I realized I had unconsciously walked all the way to Alaric's apartment.
Thinking of how dependable he had been, helping me twice now, maybe... this was the only place left I could go.
After knocking, the door opened quickly. Alaric looked at me with concern. "Soraya! Oh my god, you look awful!"
I stood there frozen, allowing him to lead me inside. I wasn't sure if my senses were accurate, but when he opened the door, there was a flash of surprise on his face, like he had been waiting for me. We'd only met twice before, hadn't we? Why did he look like he'd known me forever?
He brought me a cup of warm milk with honey.
I took a sip, the sweetness only making my heart ache more.
Finally, my emotions broke. I couldn't hold it in anymore. I covered my face with my hands and sobbed, "I've lost everything... I lost my father, my mother, and my home."
Then, I shouted, "Liar! Daisy's a liar! Dad wouldn't be that cruel! He even said he hoped I'd become a successful playwright. How could he have cut me off like this? It's Daisy! She poisoned Mom's mind! What should I do..."
In my helpless crying, I heard Alaric's steady, gentle voice. "Maybe we should consult a lawyer."
"Will it work?" His words gave me a glimmer of hope, but right now, I couldn't even afford the consultation fee. I'd never borrowed money from anyone before, but now I seemed to have no other choice.
"Maybe... could you lend me some money? I'll write you an IOU. When I get money, or Mom forgives me, I'll pay you much more as a thank you!"
I saw a flash of sadness in Alaric's eyes, but I didn't have the energy to dwell on it. I heard him say, "I thought we were friends. Friends don't treat each other like this."
Friends? I thought of all those "friends" who wouldn't pick up my calls. "I've always been generous to my friends."
Alaric shook his head. "Miss, you should first learn what real friends would expect from each other."
"What do you want?" I was confused by his words. I saw him looking at me intently. "I want you..." But the rest of his sentence trailed off. His eyes flickered as if he couldn't quite look at me.
I took a deep breath. He didn't want money, so what else could he possibly want from me? The answer was clear.
Men are all the same, and this one even used friendship as an excuse.
But I really needed a lawyer, and I clenched my teeth, thinking of Daisy's arrogant, venomous face. How could she take everything from me?
The inheritance that belongs to me—I must get it back!
As for Alaric, I decided to forget about his gentlemanly behavior that night in the bar. I made up my mind and said, "Fine, I'll agree to anything. If you help me, I'll sleep with you."
- Writer
