There was a soft knock on the door, Barrister Evelyn Harper looked away from her computer, she wasn't expecting any guests except for one who she wasn't sure of.
She knew she didn't have to reply to the door when her receptionist replied.
"Miss Stone is here," her voice sounding more respectful than usual.
"Send her in," Evelyn replied, her voice steady despite the emotions swirling inside her.
The door creaked open, and Emma Stone walked in. But the young woman who stepped into Evelyn's office was not what she had expected.
Emma's appearance spoke volumes before she even uttered a word.
She wore baggy trousers paired with an oversized polo t-shirt, sneakers that made her look like a Tomboy and a school bag hung slung over her shoulders. Her hair was short, tinted with a shade of deep blue that suggested rebellion or perhaps a need to stand out, and there was a tattoo on her neck, it was a single name inked in delicate script, Grace Robinson.
Evelyn's heart clenched at the sight of the tattoo. It was Emma's mother's name, a reminder of the life Emma had lived, a life marked by the struggle and loss that she had faced. Evelyn smiled warmly, though a part of her wished the circumstances were different.
"Emma, it's so good to finally meet you," she said, stepping forward and extending her hand.
Emma hesitated for a moment, taking in the elegant woman before her. Barrister Harper was everything Emma was not. Poised, polished, and accustomed to a world of luxury. Her office was just as impressive, with its floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the New York skyline, expensive art on the walls, and a desk that looked like it had never seen a single piece of cluster. Yet, despite all this, there was a kindness in her eyes that put Emma somewhat at ease. "It's nice to meet you too," she said, her voice betraying a hint of uncertainty.
"Please, have a seat," Evelyn gestured to the plush chair across from her desk. Emma sat down, feeling out the place in the luxurious surroundings. She fidgeted slightly, uncomfortable in a space that felt worlds away from the life she knew.
Evelyn watched her for a moment, her was racing. This was the daughter of the man she had worked for years. The man who had amassed a fortune but had never acknowledged his child, leaving her to grow up in near poverty. The weight of that reality bore down on Evelyn making her job that much more difficult.
"You must have questions," Evelyn began, her voice gentle as she took her seat behind the desk. "I can't imagine how overwhelming all of this must be for you."
Emma looked up, her expression a mixture of bitterness and curiosity. "You could say that, " she replied, her tone sharper than she intended. "I mean, one day I'm just Emma Stone, the girl who works as a graphic designer, and the next, I'm told my father was a billionaire and I'm supposed to claim his properties. It's... alot. "
Evelyn nodded, understanding the stream of emotions Emma was experiencing. " I want to help you make sense of all of this, Emma. But first, let me properly introduce myself. I'm Evelyn Harper, your father's attorney. I've been handling his legal affairs for many years now."
Emma's gaze narrowed slightly. My father..." Who exactly was he? Why didn't he ever, " she paused, swallowed the lump in her throat, before continuing, "Why didn't he ever come for me and my mom? Why didn't he care? Just for one bit. I grew up thinking he was dead before I was born and now I'm hearing all this crab story of him being a billionaire and all that crab. Damn it."
The pain in Emma's voice was unmistakable, and Evelyn felt a pang of guilt, though she had nothing to do with the choice Emma's father had made. She took a deep breath choosing her words carefully. "Your father was a complicated man, Emma. He made decisions that were, in many ways, unforgivable. But decisions were his, and they do not reflect on you or your worth."
Evelyn reached into her desk drawer and pulled out a small, sleek flask drive. She held it up for Emma to see. "I know you have a lot of questions, and you deserve answers. This flash drive contains a lot of information that you are looking for, letters, videos, and documents that your father left behind. They explain his choice, his life, and how he decided to leave you everything he owned."
Emma stared at the flash drive, her emotions warring within her. A part of her wanted to snatch it out of Evelyn's hand and plug it into the laptop right then and there, desperate to finally understand the man who had been nothing more than a ghost figure in her life. But another part of her was terrified. Terrified of what she might find, terrified of the pain those answers might bring.
She finally reached out, taking the flash drive from Evelyn's hands. It felt heavier than it should have as if it carried the weight of her entire past and future within it. "I... I don't know if I'm ready for this," Emma admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Evelyn leaned forward, her expression one of understanding. "There's no rush, Emma. You can always come get when you're ready." Evelyn said as she took the flash drive and kept it in her drawer.
"There's something else we have to address Emma," Evelyn said again.
Emma looked up, confusion crossing her face. " What do you mean?"
Evelyn's gaze softened as she took in Emma's appearance once more. "Emma, your father's estate is vast, and his family, your family, are people of influence and power. If you're going to have to meet them, you'll have to be prepared. And that starts with the way you present yourself. " Evelyn said.
Emma's confusion turned to puzzlement.
"Are you saying I need to... What? Get a makeover?"