Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire - Chapter 98

Chapter 98: Adam’s Will

The morning after Adam’s funeral dawned heavy with sorrow, the lingering grief mirrored in the sombre faces of the Swift family. Aurora, Olivia, Stella, and Stephanie sat in the expansive living room dressed in black, their eyes swollen and red from the previous day’s tears.

The atmosphere was tense, a silence broken only by the occasional sniffle as they awaited the family lawyer’s arrival.

When the lawyer finally entered, his demeanour was professional yet gentle. Setting his briefcase on the coffee table, he greeted them with subdued politeness before taking a seat.

“Thank you all for being here during such a difficult time,” he began, his voice steady. “As per Mr. Adam Swift’s instructions, I will now read his last will.”

The room grew deathly still, each woman straightening slightly in her seat as the lawyer unfolded the document.

“To begin,” he announced, “the Swift family residence shall remain the shared property of all family members. The household, however, will be co-managed by Stella Swift and Stephanie Coker.”

At the mention of her name, Stella’s lips curled into a small smile, relief briefly softening her features. But when Stephanie’s name followed, her smile faltered, quickly replaced by a deep frown. Her hands clenched the armrest of her chair as her gaze snapped to Stephanie, who remained composed, her face unreadable.

The lawyer continued. “The company, Vintage Cellar, will now be headed by Stephanie Coker. She is tasked with appointing a new COO once the responsibilities assigned to Aurora and Olivia Swift are completed.”

Aurora’s brows furrowed in surprise, while Olivia’s eyes widened in disbelief. The sisters exchanged glances, Olivia’s shock mirroring Aurora’s confusion. Across the room, Stella’s face darkened, her mounting anger visible in the hard set of her jaw.

“Excuse me,” Stella interrupted, barely holding back her fury. “Why would my husband make his sister head of his company? That’s… unusual, isn’t it?”

The lawyer’s tone remained even. “Mr. Swift specified this arrangement in his will. He believed it was the best course of action for the company’s future.”

Stella opened her mouth to retort but snapped it shut, realizing she would gain nothing from questioning further. Her fingers tightened around the fabric of her skirt, but she held her tongue as the lawyer resumed reading.

“Adam Swift’s other properties, including real estate and investments, will be divided equally among Stella Swift, Stephanie Coker, Aurora Swift, and Olivia Swift.”

The mention of Stephanie’s name again sent Stella over the edge. Her voice cracked with indignation. “Why does Stephanie get a share of my husband’s inheritance? She’s married! Doesn’t she already have enough in her own home?”

The lawyer didn’t answer, merely continuing with an air of detachment.

“Regarding company shares,” he said, “Mr. Swift’s shares in Vintage Cellar will be divided as follows: Aurora Swift and Olivia Swift will each receive ten percent, while Stephanie Coker, as the new CEO, will hold twenty percent.”

The room grew tense as Stella waited to hear her name. The realization hit her like a crashing wave when it didn’t come. Her face twisted in fury, her breath coming in quick, shallow bursts.

“What?” she hissed, rising abruptly from her seat. “That’s impossible!” She stormed to the lawyer, snatching the document from his hands as everyone else looked on in stunned silence. Frantically scanning the pages, she muttered under her breath, her eyes widening further with every word.

When she finished, she threw the will onto the table, her voice rising. “This is how he repays me? After all the years I stood by his side? After everything I endured? He’s mistreated me all through our marriage, and now—even in death—he continues to disrespect me!”

Tears streamed down her face as she paced the room, ranting. “I gave him my life! My youth! My support! I stuck to his side until the end and this is what I get? Nothing?!”

Stephanie’s face flushed with embarrassment at Stella’s outburst. Rising to her feet, she turned to the lawyer. “Thank you for your time. I’ll walk you to the door.”

The lawyer nodded, clearly eager to leave the tense atmosphere. Once he was gone, the storm of Stella’s rage turned toward Aurora.

“You killed your father!” she accused, her voice venomous. “Yet here you are, receiving a great amount of what he left behind. If you had any conscience, you’d leave it all to Olivia and walk out of this family.”

Aurora’s face remained blank. She didn’t say a word, her silence only fuelling Stella’s anger. “Have you gone dumb now?! Won’t you say anything?!”

Stephanie returned to the room just in time to see Stella’s rants. Sighing, she moved to her seat, but Stella stood, rounding on her instead.

“Why would Adam make you head of his family? Am I dead to him? What lies did you feed him to secure this position after showing your face a few times?”

Stephanie met Stella’s glare with a calm, cutting gaze. “Maybe he saw how unfit and partial you are as a leader,” she retorted, her tone sharp. “Perhaps he didn’t trust you, and he was right not to.”

Stella’s voice rose to a screech. “You’ve always come between me and my family, always sticking your nose where it’s not needed! You don’t deserve a share of anything belonging to my husband! You don’t deserve to run Vintage Cellar. Go back to your husband’s house where you belong!”

Stephanie’s composure cracked just slightly as she fired back, pointing a finger at her “In case you’ve forgotten, Vintage Cellar was my idea. I built it alongside Adam from the ground up. So, you can dream all you want, Stella—but I’m not leaving. And let me warn you for the last time, my brother’s funeral has been handled, so nothing is holding me back any longer from teaching you a lesson.”

With that, Stephanie stormed out, leaving Stella fuming. Aurora, too, stood and quietly exited, heading upstairs without a word. While she had questions regarding her father’s decision, even though she was in full support, she couldn’t sit there and bear the pressure of Stella’s anger.

Left alone in the room, Stella and Olivia exchanged a dark look, their fury simmering. The thought of Aurora receiving shares in the company while Stella was left with nothing stung more deeply than either would admit.

“She is not even Dad’s biological daughter, why would he put her in the position to threaten what rightfully belongs to me?!” Olivia cried as she faced the spot Aurora disappeared through. She clenched her fists, burning with rage.