As Nathan helped his frail grandfather into the hall, the once noisy room fell eerily silent. All eyes were fixed on the elderly man as he made his way to the table positioned at the front of the hall, with a single armchair waiting for him.
Grandfather Timothy took a moment to compose himself before addressing his family and friends. His voice, though weak, carried a weight of authority that commanded attention.
"My dear family and esteemed guests," he began, his words ringing out in the hushed hall. "I have gathered you all here today to discuss matters of great importance."
There was tension in the air as everyone leaned forward, awaiting his next words.
"As many of you know, I have spent a lifetime building our family's fortune and legacy," Grandfather Timothy continued, his gaze sweeping over the assembled crowd. "But I have come to realize that wealth is not measured by the size of one's estate or the number of possessions one holds."
A murmur of confusion rippled through the hall, as people exchanged uncertain glances.
"In fact," Grandfather Timothy went on, his voice growing stronger with conviction, "I have come to see that many of you have become nothing more than parasites, sucking the lifeblood from our family's wealth without contributing anything of value in return."
Gasps of shock and disbelief filled the hall as his words sank in, and Nathan felt a knot form in his stomach as he braced himself for what was to come.
"The only thing my second son did right in his entire life was give birth to my grandson Nathan," Grandfather Timothy declared, his eyes locking onto Nathan with pride. "A young man who has single-handedly handled my businesses and wealth like a genius, while the rest of you squabble over scraps."
Nathan's heart swelled with a mix of emotions—pride, gratitude, and a tinge of apprehension for what his grandfather had planned next.
With a solemn nod, Grandfather Timothy reached for the stack of papers on the table before him—the will that would determine the fate of their family's legacy.
"As for my properties, my businesses, my wealth," he announced, his voice echoing with finality, "I hereby declare them all to be managed and safeguarded by my grandson, Nathan Hill. He is the new Head of the House."
Shock rippled through the room like a tidal wave, and Nathan felt the weight of everyone's stares as they struggled to comprehend the enormity of what had just been revealed.
Especially Darren and his son Mason, whose faces twisted in disbelief and outrage at the unexpected turn of events.
Darren's face contorted with rage. His fists clenched at his sides, and his eyes burned with fury as he glared at his father.
"You can't be serious, Father!" Darren spat, his voice trembling with anger. "You're going to hand over everything to him? To Nathan?"
Grandfather Timothy remained calm, his gaze steady as he met his son's furious glare. "Yes, Darren," he replied evenly. "Nathan has proven himself worthy of the responsibility. He has shown dedication, intelligence, and loyalty to our family."
"That's absurd!" Darren exclaimed, his voice rising to a shout. "He's just a boy! He doesn't have the experience or the maturity to handle this!"
Nathan felt a surge of anger rise within him at Darren's words, but he knew he had to stay calm. He stepped forward, placing himself between his grandfather and his enraged uncle.
"Uncle, please," Nathan said, his voice firm but controlled. "This is not the time or the place for this. Let's discuss this calmly and rationally, Later."
But Darren was beyond reason. His face twisted with fury, and he took a menacing step forward, his fists raised as if he intended to strike.
"You old fool!" Darren spat, his voice laced with venom. "You've always favored him over me! You've never seen what I'm capable of!"
Before anyone could react, Darren lunged forward, his intent clear. He aimed a punch at his father, but Nathan was faster. With lightning reflexes, he intercepted Darren's blow, grabbing his arm and stopping him in his tracks.
"Enough, Uncle!" Nathan shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos of the room. "This ends now!"
Security guards rushed forward, quickly intervening to restrain Darren before he could cause any further harm. Grandfather Timothy watched the scene unfold with a mixture of sadness and disappointment, shaking his head as his son was led away.
"This isn't fair, Grandpa," Mason, Darren's son and Nathan's cousin, interjected angrily. "I'm also your grandson, and my father is your son. How can you be so unfair? What about the rest of us? Will you truly leave us with nothing?"
"All your fates rest in Nathan's hands. He decides what you deserve and what you don't," Grandfather Timothy declared, his voice firm but tired.
Nathan's heart sank at his grandfather's words, the weight of responsibility pressing down on him like a heavy burden.
"Nathan?" Grandfather Timothy called.
"Yes, Grandfather," Nathan replied.
"Help me back upstairs, please. I need to sleep," Grandfather Timothy requested, his weariness evident in his voice.
Nathan nodded in understanding. "Of course, Grandpa," he said, moving to his grandfather's side to offer support.
As they made their way back upstairs, the tension in the hall lingered, thick and suffocating. Nathan could feel the accusing stares of his family members burning into him, their resentment obvious.
Once they reached the room, Nathan helped his grandfather settle into bed, tucking the covers around him with gentle care.
Grandfather Timothy looked up at him with tired eyes, his expression a mixture of gratitude and resignation.
"Thank you, Nathan," he said softly. "I know this is a heavy burden to bear, but I trust you to do what is right for our family."
Nathan's throat tightened with emotion at his grandfather's words. "I won't let you down, Grandpa," he vowed, his voice filled with determination.
With a weary smile, Grandfather Timothy closed his eyes, succumbing to the embrace of sleep.
Nathan lingered by his bedside for a moment longer, his thoughts consumed by the weight of the responsibility that now rested on his shoulders.
As he turned to leave the room, Nathan knew that the road ahead would be filled with challenges and difficult decisions. But he also knew that he couldn't back down.
With a deep breath, he squared his shoulders and prepared to face the daunting task that lay ahead, determined to honor his grandfather's legacy and protect the future of the Hill family.