[Back At The Grayson Manor]
Aurora answered a phone call from Miss Carol, her landlady.
"Hello, Miss Carol. If this is about the rent, I'll cover it before month-end," Aurora said.
"Oh no, I'm not calling about that, dear. Just that your boyfriend is here, and darling, he seems unable to contain himself," Miss Carol replied.
"Boyfriend? Miss Carol, I've never brought a boy over. I don't have a boyfriend," Aurora clarified.
"Oh, you two must be having a lover's quarrel. Anyway, you need to hurry over here. He says it's a matter of life and death," Miss Carol insisted.
Aurora thought to herself, "I don't know who that person might be, and I can't just leave while the will is being read - it'll come off as disrespectful, and I honestly can't have them thinking that. I have enough problems already - I can't have the family hate me any more than they already do. I am curious about who this man is, but it'll have to wait - this is more important."
"Miss Carol, I'm in the middle of something important right now - please tell the gentleman to kindly wait for me. I'll return as quickly as I can after this business," Aurora requested.
"Alright, I'll tell him, dear," Miss Carol agreed.
"She says she's a bit busy at the moment - you might want to come in for tea while you wait for her," Miss Carol relayed to the man on the other side of the phone.
"I guess it can't be helped," the man replied from the other side as well.
Aurora, thought to herself, "that voice - I've heard it before, but I can't remember where. I'll deal with that when I get back. I've told him to wait," she reflected.
"Alright, I'll see you then," Aurora said as she hung up and began walking back to the drawing room, pondering over the familiarity of the voice she had just heard.
"We will now move to the second and last section of the will," announced Sir Austin Bush as Aurora walked back into the drawing room.
"As there is no letter for this section, I will simply read what is written here," he continued.
Sir Austin cleared his throat and began to read aloud, "First and foremost, the 20 percent that once belonged to my wives will be distributed unevenly to the relevant board members as well as foreign investors. The relevant parties to this aspect will be sent the documents detailing how many shares they've acquired as per this will. Their names will not be disclosed in this will. If knowing them is in your interests, then you will search."
Aurora listened intently, her mind focused on the implications of these words. The mention of shares and distributions hinted at significant financial implications. She glanced around the room, noting the reactions of others present. This was a moment of clarity and decision-making for all involved.
"I guess I was right," thought Elijah.
"He wants to force us to form alliances with these people and find ways to acquire their shares. It won't be easy, but I see what he's planned. The only way to find these people is to understand Mirage Corp inside out. While searching for these individuals, we'll be forced to learn more about the company as a whole - it's a clever tactic, I suppose," Elijah contemplated.
"It really appears that father wants his children to fight one another. In the end, the one who will win this is probably the one who gets more allies from these mystery board members and foreign investors. I'm certain Elijah is already formulating a plan this very moment. If I intend to beat him, I can't afford to make any mistakes because I know for a fact that he won't. The only way to beat him is for me to be more perfect than him. I'll come up with something even he can't beat," thought Athena as she took a sip from a drink on the side table next to her.
"I'm certain everyone will start targeting each other right after this. However, I shouldn't be so naive as to think that alliances won't be formed among us to defeat the greater foe - in this case, that being Elijah. There's a chance someone might suggest it, but I can't be the one to do it. I need to plant that idea on someone else and have them execute it for me. If I do it myself, I'll lose credibility. It'll seem like weakness to them, and I can't afford to have them think I'm not a threat," thought Paul.
"He who knows his foe wins the battle. I don't know who said that - probably Sun Tzu or maybe it was me. I believe the key to winning a battle is controlling information - not just the information you receive, but also the information others have about you. I've already made my move by planting the seed that I'm not interested in this succession battle. Of course, they're smart enough not to believe me, but that's not the point. The whole purpose is to sow doubt in their subconscious, make them lower their guard unwittingly, and then strike decisively. My siblings underestimate me, so I'll use every trick in the book to maneuver my way to the top and look down on them from above. They won't know what hit them," thought Shawn.
"Father will probably give me a role in the company as well. I have to try my best so I don't let him and mother down. I'll treat our employees with respect and ensure that they are paid what they deserve. I'll do my utmost to help Mirage Corp in any way I can," thought Helen.
"I know they're all plotting right now, but none of it matters because I'm better than them. They can try whatever tricks they want, but it won't help. I'll win in the end," thought Michael.
"I really want to get out of here," thought Meleta as she sank into the couch.
"I shall now read the last aspect of the will," said Sir Bush.
"My former lawyer, Alexander McCain, will be promoted to senior associate and partner at the subsidiary company, Grayson Legal. Alexander Bush, the family lawyer, will receive the position of vice president in the company. These two are being awarded their rewards for remaining loyal and for standing by me all these years in times of difficulty."
Sir Austin continued to read: "All personnel who have been under employment in Grayson Manor or any of the subsidiary companies will receive their pension funds in advance, as well as permanent health benefits for the remainder of their employment. They will also continue receiving their monthly stipends for a maximum of 2 years after retirement or retrenchment. These conditions apply only to employees who have been with the family or subsidiary companies for more than 10 years. The relevant subsidiary companies will receive documentation detailing how this arrangement is to be carried out, including screening procedures for selecting the employees. All my wives will retain the assets they have acquired during our documented marriage."
"This next aspect of the will - will not be read aloud, as it pertains to the details concerning the individual children of Master Kenneth," announced Sir Austin Bush.
He gestured to a servant, who distributed the relevant documents to all eight of Kenneth's children. "Since you now have your documents, I will proceed to read the last and final letter of Master Kenneth, as per his wishes," Sir Austin concluded.
[The Letter]
Sir Bush retrieved an envelope sealed with the Grayson crest and carefully broke the seal. He extracted a letter penned by Kenneth himself, and began to read aloud:
"I have lived a long, varied life - filled with joy, sorrow, successes, and failures. I have been both blessed and burdened. As a man of reason, I understand the inherent unfairness of my actions towards my children. I have been fortunate to have eight children whom I love deeply, each a reflection of myself. I have witnessed your growth in diverse circumstances, seeing some thrive while denying others. All of this was deliberate.
The Almighty granted me a rich life for which I am grateful, yet like all mortals, I cannot evade death. Knowing that my legacy will spark conflict among those I leave behind, I faced a daunting choice. After years of contemplation, I confess I could not bring myself to choose. Perhaps for the first time, emotion outweighed reason in my decision-making. I foresaw my children compelled to fight against each other - a scenario I had hoped to prevent as a parent, but which their inheritance of my traits makes inevitable.
Within your grasp lies not merely a document, but a weapon - a tool you must wield to defend yourself against your siblings. Farewell to my beloved wives, whom I cherished. Farewell to my children, whom I love even in death. I wish you all the best of luck in the battles ahead."