Smith Family Group had been under Holden’s control for years now. Reuben and Samuel used to own a few shares, but Holden had outmaneuvered them and taken everything. Not only were they shut out of the company, but every time they tried to get involved, things just went downhill.
Their only hope now was Old Mr. Smith’s personal wealth. A while ago, when his health was still better, the old man had given them part of his assets. But the uneven split had caused a falling-out between the brothers.
Old Mr. Smith’s eyes widened as his lips moved, muttering something under his breath.
Sarah studied how his mouth moved and turned to Butler Ted, whispering, “Thomas-is that a name?”
Butler Ted nodded, lowering his voice. “Yes, it’s the name of his eldest son. Mr. Holden’s father.”
Sarah furrowed her brow. Holden’s parents had been dead for years.
The real reason Reuben and Nicola didn’t want Sarah in the room was that they were hoping Old Mr. Smith might reveal some undisclosed inheritance-or hint at a secret will kept with his lawyer. After his death, they fully expected a legal fight with Holden over the estate.
But going up against Holden in court? Nobody had ever managed to beat him.
Nicola’s impatience started to show. “Honey, don’t you think it’s time to have the lawyer bring out your will? I’ve got him waiting downstairs. Do you want to give him a verbal update, just in case?”
Old Mr. Smith kept mumbling that same name over and over again-Thomas.
Maybe the first child really does leave the deepest mark. The first time you hear someone call you “Dad,” the first time you see a baby cooing, crawling, learning to walk-all those moments build up. Watching a helpless infant grow into a slim, handsome boy, and eventually into a man capable of carrying the weight of the world…
No one knew what haunted Old Mr. Smith in his final years. As the head of the family, he was surrounded by people who respected him, envied him, and coveted his power and wealth. Whether the regrets from 20 years ago still haunted his dreams or not didn’t seem to matter anymore.
Reuben was getting desperate. He couldn’t figure out what his father was trying to say, so he whipped out his phone and called the lawyer and a few other relatives to come over.
Then, turning back to Old Mr. Smith, Reuben gripped his hand tighter. “Dad, do you remember what’s in your will? Let’s go with the most recent version, okay? Just tell the lawyer again-Holden’s not here to interfere.”
At the mention of Holden’s name, Old Mr. Smith’s eyes flickered briefly, a hint of light sparking within them-only to dim again as he kept whispering that same name.
Sarah stepped in, kicking Reuben hard in the leg to shove him aside. As he stumbled back, she leaned down next to Old Mr. Smith and said softly, “He’s on his way.”
She didn’t say who he was. Old Mr. Smith could believe it was whoever he wanted.
Old Mr. Smith’s lips finally closed, and just as the lawyer knocked on the door, Old Mr. Smith’s eyes shut.
The monitors still showed signs of life, and Reuben tried shaking him awake. “Dad? Dad! Dad!!”
But soon, everything on the monitors went still.
Samuel and Nicola both collapsed over the old man’s legs, sobbing uncontrollably.
Outside the room, some of the Smith family relatives were already wiping at their eyes, putting on their best performance of grief-some real, some not.
But the funeral still had to take place. Old Mr. Smith’s health had been failing for a long time. The doctors had kept him alive with the best medication and machines, and the family even brought in a random mix of monks and witches to perform rituals. None of it had managed to wake him. The family had already prepared his coffin and everything needed for the funeral.
The Smith family owned a mountain range just outside City N. They had already chosen the exact spot where Old Mr. Smith would be buried.
Now it was time to hold the funeral at the Smith family estate. Old Mr. Smith’s coffin was placed in the mourning hall, and relatives and friends from near and far arrived to pay their respects.
Everyone dressed in solemn black. With Holden still away, Sarah, as his wife, had to take charge of the arrangements.
Thankfully, Butler Ted was by her side. He knew everyone involved and immediately gave instructions to the staff and security guards at the family estate, ordering them to keep a close watch over all the safes and the basement. No one was allowed to move anything without permission.
These were all people Holden had hired, and fortunately, none of them had been bribed by Nicola and her sons. For now, everything in the household seemed to be running smoothly.
Sarah knew Reuben wouldn’t sit still for long, and sure enough, the next day, he made his move in front of the family’s elders. With bloodshot eyes, he clutched Nicola’s arm, pleading with the relatives to support them.
“Holden is unfilial!” Reuben cried. “When Dad was dying, he kept calling his name, but Holden never showed up!”
Tears streamed down Reuben’s reddened face as his voice broke with emotion. “Everyone knows he’s held a grudge against Dad for years. He’s said awful things about him. But no matter what, that was still his grandfather! What kind of grandson hates his own grandpa?”
The murmurs spread through the crowd. Many of the older relatives sympathized with Old Mr. Smith. After all, most of them hadn’t exactly led spotless lives either-many even had mistresses-but they still felt their actions were justified. In their minds, the younger generation had no right to hold grudges against them.
Sarah furrowed her brow and stepped forward. “Holden hasn’t been here because his maternal grandfather also passed away. He couldn’t be in two places at once. I stayed with Grandpa the entire time because I don’t speak German or French, so Holden had to handle things abroad.”
Her words quieted many of the murmurs. Most people understood that partners often stood in for each other at family events, especially when both were busy. There were several guests at the funeral that day who had come in place of their spouses.
Sarah turned her gaze toward Reuben. “Uncle Reuben, Grandpa knew better than anyone how devoted Holden was. Are you really going to stand here, in front of everyone, and slander your own nephew just to upset Grandpa’s spirit?”
Reuben wiped his tears, sniffing as he muttered, “I’m just speaking up for my mom. She took care of Grandpa all these years, but Holden got everything and didn’t even leave her a place to stay! How can any of you stand by and watch my mom and I get thrown out on the street after everything we’ve done for this family?”
Just as his words landed, a commotion rippled through the crowd. The guests instinctively parted to create a path as Holden entered, dressed head-to-toe in black, wearing dark sunglasses, and accompanied by a dozen bodyguards.