Twisted paths

Chapter 6: The will

The news of Mr. Carter's death spread like wildfire. It was in the blogs, the news channels, and even on the radio. Mr. Carter's rivals were very happy to hear that their greatest competitor was dead. Distant friends and families came to pay their condolence visit.

Anna wasn't having it at all. She had been screaming and crying for over an hour. "What will happen to my twins? Who will be their father?" She kept asking these questions while crying profusely. She had to put up a scene because she didn't want it to be obvious that she was happy with the turnout of events. Ryan, on the other hand, felt a strange mix of emotions. Confusion, sorrow, and guilt engulfed him. "Maybe I am the cause of this death," he thought to himself. "Ever since I stepped foot into this family, they have never been happy."

He came close and tried to console Anna, but she pushed him so hard he regretted going close in the first place. "You should have died, why did you survive this wizard? You should have died!" Anna kept shouting. He was already used to this, but he agreed with her on this. Why did he survive? Burdened with this guilt, these questions haunted him.

The neighbors finally helped calm Anna down and took her inside to rest. But immediately she saw from her window that they had all left, she quickly picked up her phone and went to the courtyard, her usual spot, to inform her secret caller of this great news.

"I heard the good news too!" he said immediately he picked the call. "We have waited years for this day. I'm glad we are finally achieving everything we planned out together," said Anna's secret caller.

"When does the lawyer intend on coming to read out the will?" he asked.

"I have contacted him already, and he said he would be coming the day after tomorrow, which is the same day for the burial. We have to give Carter his last respect," Anna replied. "But I'll be going to the company tomorrow. I need to start acting. Everything is now ours!"

"Very good, make sure you keep me posted," the voice behind replied and quickly ended the call.

"I don't need this man anymore," Anna thought to herself. "It's not like he even loves me the way I love him. He treats me like a pauper and orders me around! Jennifer was right. He would pick a tissue paper over me! He has only been using me to achieve all his wicked plans. Well, I'm glad he brought me out from wretchedness after all. Once this burial is over, and I finally gain access to everything, I would get rid of him! Now let's see who is the boss here!"

Early the next morning, Anna was already at one of Mr. Carter's construction sites. She was dressed in an all-black blazer and a black shade. The red lipstick she wore was so shiny that it gave her a domineering aura.

She had already called Jones, Mr. Carter's secretary, and informed him that she would be coming over to the company. She went straight to his office as soon as she got to the construction site. Jones was very startled to see her; he thought she was joking when she called him the previous day and told him that she would be coming.

"Mr. Jones," Anna said as she worked into his office. "Did you arrange the meeting with the board of directors, and where are the documents I asked for? Also, where are the documents that include everything on my late husband's schedule for the end of the year?"

"Mrs. Carter, I'm sorry, but the board does not recognize you. For now, the vice president of the company would be acting as the president until the successor is revealed. Any other person is irrelevant and would not be recognized," Jones calmly told her.

"Hmmm…" Anna murmured with anger already boiling inside of her. Not wanting to cause a scene, she quickly controlled herself, moved close to Jones, and said, "Jones, or whatever your name is, do you realize that I am the wife of the late CEO? And all the shares he owned in the company are automatically mine! Set the meeting now!" she yelled.

Anna was about to pull down the office with her voice, so Jones had to do as he was told.

The members of the board were pissed off and not happy about this development, especially the vice president.

"Who called for this meeting? And why weren't we informed beforehand?" Madam Sarah, the secretary, asked.

They were still trying to figure out what was going on before Anna stepped in and introduced herself as the new boss. The board members were so angry. They had never liked Anna. But then they couldn't counter what she said.

She was the legitimate wife of Mr. Carter, which automatically makes her the owner of all of Mr. Carter's shares, and since Mr. Carter was the highest shareholder, anyone that his shares were being handed to automatically became the boss.

Almost all the members of the board looked defeated. Anna noticed the look on their faces and laughed inwardly. "I will resume my duties as the new CEO next week. You all should be ready for all the changes that I would be implementing for the betterment of the company," she said and stood up to leave.

"We still haven't heard the will," the vice president murmured. "Mrs. Carter, before anything is clear, we would have to see the will," he argued again. She just turned back, laughed at him, left the office, and walked out of the company building.

"Tomorrow is going to be a long day. I would have to pull up a scene again," Anna thought to herself as soon as she reached her mansion and entered her room.

She called the priest again to remind him, and after that, proceeded to call the lawyer to also remind him to come read out the will tomorrow.

The next morning, the general mood in the mansion was not good. Mr. Carter was a good man, so it was only natural for everyone to feel sad. The maids and guards had woken up earlier than usual to clean the entire mansion and prepare it for the burial.

Anna, the chief mourner and legitimate wife of the late Mr. Carter, was already up and ready. The twins were also neatly dressed in all black tuxedos. They got into their car, and the driver drove them to the cemetery. The coffin bearers and some of the security men were already waiting there.

A few hours later, Ryan arrived with the priest. There was a procession, and as soon as they reached the spot reserved for Mr. Carter's body, they halted. The coffin bearers calmly brought out the coffin from the long black limousine and proceeded to lower it into the grave.

The crowd fell into a grave silence, accompanied by soft sobs amidst the gathering. The priest sprinkled holy water on Mr. Carter's coffin, saying...

"It is with deep sadness in our hearts that we announce the passing of Mr. Carter, who succumbed to the devastating consequences of a severe brain and spinal cord injury. He fought bravely, but ultimately lost the battle to death. The impact of this tragic event has left us mourning the loss of a cherished father, friend, family member, and colleague. Mr. Carter's departure leaves a void in our hearts that can never be filled. We remember him for his strength, resilience, and unwavering spirit. May his soul find eternal peace, and may we find solace in the memories we shared with him. Rest in peace, dear Carter," the priest said as they laid down the body of Mr. Carter in his tomb.

"They arrived home immediately after the burial. Only close family members and Mr. Carter's entire circle, which included his beloved wife Anna, his foster son Ryan, his two biological children Andrew and Andre, company employees, maids, and guards, assembled for the reading of his will. Were allowed into the mansion following Anna's order.

The family lawyer walked in almost immediately after they had all settled down. 'My condolences, Mrs. Carter,' he said. 'Thank you,' Anna hastily replied.

"Ladies and gentlemen, gathered here today," the lawyer began, "we have come together to read out the last will and testament of the late Mr. Carter. In his final wishes, Mr. Carter has chosen to bequeath his entire wealth, which includes his vast estates, thriving companies, and flourishing businesses, to his beloved foster son, Ryan. It is a testament to the deep bond they shared, and Mr. Carter's unwavering belief in Ryan's ability to carry forward his legacy. May this moment be met with respect and understanding as we honour the wishes of our departed loved one and ensure a smooth transition of his cherished possessions to their rightful heir."

"Thank you all for your time," the lawyer said as he stood up to leave.