“What does this mean?”
Richard pointed to a sentence.
“Your grandfather left you the estate on one condition.”
I read it again.
Nathan Brooks must not return to the family home for thirty days.
I looked up.
“That’s it?”
“No.”
Richard’s voice became quieter.
“There is another requirement.”
“What?”
“You must remain financially independent during those thirty days.”
I stared at him.
“You mean I can’t use the inheritance?”
“Correct.”
No money from the accounts?”
“Correct.”
“No credit cards?”
“Correct.”
“No property?”
“Correct.”
“Then how am I supposed to survive?”
Richard looked toward my car.
“You already have been.”
I almost laughed.
“This is insane.”
“It gets worse.”
Of course it did.
Richard opened the final folder.
“Your grandfather wanted to know what you would do if you believed you had nothing.”
I stared at him.
“What does that mean?”
“He didn’t want to leave his empire to someone who would become dependent on it.”
“He wanted to test me?”
“Yes.”
“And if I fail?”
“You inherit nothing.”
I stared at the document.
For the first time since meeting Richard, I felt angry.
“You find me living in my car after my father threw me out, and you tell me my grandfather deliberately waited until now to see what I’d do?”
Richard didn’t flinch.
“He didn’t know your father would
throw you out.”
“But he knew I was struggling.”
“Yes.”
“Then why didn’t he help me?”
“Because the will was designed to protect you.”
“From what?”
Richard looked directly into my eyes.
“Your family.”
The words made my chest tighten.
“What are you talking about?”
Richard placed one final document in front of me.
This one wasn’t from the estate.
It was a bank statement.
My bank statement.
My old savings account.
The account containing the three thousand dollars my father had taken.
I stared at the numbers.
Then I noticed something.
There were transactions I didn’t recognize.
“What’s this?”
Richard pointed at the withdrawals.
“Your father didn’t spend your money on your brother’s applications.”
My jaw tightened.
“Then what did he spend it on?”
Richard turned the page.
“Legal fees.”
I looked at him.
“Legal fees for what?”
“His attempt to gain control of your grandfather’s company.”
I felt
something inside me crack.
He had taken every dollar I had.
Not for my brother.
Not for rent.
