The air in the room grew heavier as Mr. Kapoor adjusted his glasses and leaned forward, the papers in his hand rustling slightly. His face remained composed, but the weight of the words he was about to speak was evident in the deliberate pace of his actions. Yuvika sat quietly, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her heart pounding. Nikhil leaned forward, his gaze sharp and expectant, while Soniya sat with a veneer of calm that belied her curiosity.
Clearing his throat, Mr. Kapoor began, his deep, steady voice filling the room. "As per the wishes of the late Mrs. Mehta, this will outlines the division of her estate, company shares, and other holdings. She was very clear in her directives." He paused, glancing briefly at Yuvika, before continuing.
"Firstly, all properties—this villa, her other real estate assets, and her personal belongings—are to be inherited entirely by Yuvika Mehta. No exceptions."
A hushed silence fell over the room. Yuvika's eyes widened slightly, a mix of shock and grief flickering across her face. Nikhil's jaw clenched, his fingers tightening around the armrest of his chair.
Kapoor continued, "Regarding the company, Mrs. Mehta has decided that 65% of the company's shares will be transferred to Yuvika, making her the majority shareholder and effective controller of the business."
The words hung in the air like a thunderclap. Nikhil stiffened, his face turning a shade darker. His grip on the chair became white-knuckled as Kapoor pressed on.
"Mr. Nikhil Mehta," Kapoor said, his tone growing firmer, "you will retain 15% of the company shares, no more. Additionally, Mrs. Mehta has stipulated that your son will be allotted 10% of the shares, as well as a position in the company—but only if Yuvika deems it appropriate for him to work there."
A gasp escaped Soniya, and her son looked up from his phone, his youthful confidence faltering. Nikhil's silence was deafening.
Finally, he snapped. "What is this nonsense?" he barked, rising from his seat and glaring at Kapoor. "How dare you? This—this is unacceptable! I am her son, her rightful heir! How could she leave everything to… to her?" His finger pointed sharply at Yuvika, who flinched but quickly straightened her spine, meeting his gaze with defiance.
Kapoor calmly set the papers down and folded his hands. "Your mother's wishes are documented and legally binding, Mr. Mehta. This is not up for debate."
Nikhil's face twisted with rage. "You think I'll accept this? This—this betrayal? I've given everything to this family! And you," he growled, turning to Yuvika, "you think you can take what's mine? I'll show you—"
Before anyone could react, Nikhil lunged toward Yuvika, his hand raised as if to strike. The room erupted into chaos.
In an instant, the young lawyers, who had been standing silently behind Kapoor, moved like a coordinated force. They stepped forward in unison, forming a protective barrier between Nikhil and Yuvika. Their stance was calm but firm, their eyes trained on Nikhil with an unspoken warning.
"Enough!" Kapoor's voice boomed, his normally calm demeanor replaced with authority. "Mr. Mehta, you will not lay a hand on Yuvika, or anyone else in this room. If you cannot control yourself, I will have you removed."
Nikhil froze, his breathing heavy, his face a mask of fury. The tension in the room was palpable, the only sound the sharp crackle of the fireplace in the background.
Kapoor turned to one of his young protégés and gave a curt nod. The lawyer pulled out his phone and made a quick call, his voice low but urgent. Within minutes, several uniformed staff members entered the villa, their presence commanding and purposeful.
"From this moment on," Kapoor said, his tone cold, "Yuvika will be under my protection. Any attempt to intimidate or harm her will be met with legal consequences. This was Mrs. Mehta's home, and Yuvika is the rightful owner. Mr. Mehta, you and your family are no longer welcome here."
Nikhil's face turned a deep red, his anger threatening to boil over. But the presence of the staff, coupled with the unwavering stance of Kapoor's lawyers, left him with no choice.
"This isn't over," Nikhil spat, glaring at Kapoor and then Yuvika. "Mark my words."
He stormed out of the villa, Soniya and their son trailing behind him, their faces a mixture of embarrassment and disbelief.
As the heavy front door closed behind them, a tense silence fell over the room. Kapoor turned to Yuvika, his expression softening. "You're not alone, Yuvika," he said gently. "Your grandmother trusted you, and she trusted me to make sure her wishes were honored. No one will harm you or take away what's rightfully yours."
Yuvika nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Despite the turmoil, she felt a quiet strength settle within her. She wasn't just her grandmother's granddaughter anymore—she was her successor. And she would honor her legacy, no matter the challenges ahead.