Ava's gaze lingered on Liam's for a moment longer before Alex's voice cut through the air, snapping her back to reality. "Ava," he whispered, his tone low and urgent, as he grasped her elbow, his fingers digging into her skin.
Just then, one of the lawyers cleared his throat, his voice booming through the room. "Is everyone present?" he asked, his eyes scanning the room. The family nodded in unison, their voices murmuring in agreement. "Yes," they said, almost as one.
Alex's grip on Ava's elbow tightened, his fingers digging deeper into her skin as the lawyer's eyes lingered on him. Ava could feel the tension radiating from Alex's body as he made her sit, his anxiety palpable as he waited for the reading of the will to begin.
The past few weeks had been a rollercoaster of emotions for the Ross family. The patriarch, Ross Sr., had always been a man of mystery, but his actions in the final weeks of his life had left everyone baffled.
He had traveled to the United States, reportedly to consult with a team of attorneys who specialized in estate planning. The family had been kept in the dark about the contents of the will, reminding them that the late Ross instructed his will be revealed on his 70th birthday either dead or alive and the secrecy had only added to their anxiety.
And then, just a week after Ross Sr.'s return from the United States, he had suffered a fatal cardiac arrest, leaving behind a family that was both grief-stricken and curious about the contents of his will.
One of the attorney, a middle-aged man with a somber expression, cleared his throat before speaking. "The late Sir Ross's will is quite... extensive," he began, his eyes scanning the room as he paused for dramatic effect.
Ava's eyes remained fixed on Liam's, her mind racing with questions about who he really is and his sudden reappearance. The tension between them was palpable, and Ava could feel the weight of Liam's gaze like a physical touch.
The attorney's voice cut through the air, shattering her trance. "To begin, the late Sir Ross has left his 70% shares of the Ross industry to be divided among his loved ones."
Kate Ross leaned forward, her eyes fixed intently on the attorney. Alex's face was set in a mask of calmness, but his eyes betrayed his anxiety.Asher fidgeted nervously in her seat, his eyes darting between the attorney and her family members.
The attorney paused, his eyes locking onto Liam's before moving on to the rest of the family. "58% of the shares shall go to his son...Liam Ross."
The room seemed to hold its collective breath as the attorney's words hung in the air. Alex's face turned pale, his eyes narrowing slightly as he turned to Liam. Kate Ross's expression was inscrutable, but her eyes flashed with a hint of surprise and anger.
Ava was also shocked. Liam was a Ross? like was her brother in law? How? When? she had lots of questions but as she glance through the room, nobody seemed shocked at the fact that Liam is a member of the Ross family but shocked because Liam had 58% of the Ross industry's shares.
The attorney's voice continued, his words dripping with tension. "And 12% of the shares shall go to... his daughter-in-law."
Ruby's face lit up with a hopeful smile, but it was short-lived. The attorney's next words sent a shockwave through the room.
"Ava."
"What?!!!" Ruby yelled in surprise and anger.
The room fell silent, the only sound the soft gasp that escaped Ava's lips. She felt like she'd been punched in the gut, her mind reeling with the implications. Her breathe caught in her throat as she tries to process what she just heard. She hasn't processed the shocking revelation of Liam and now her father in law gave her 12% of his shares? Why???
The attorney's eyes seemed to bore into Ava's soul as he continued. "And now, the main agenda of the will... The late Sir Ross's trust fund, valued at over 16 billion dollars"
Kate Ross stood abruptly in shock and surprise.
"16 billion dollars???" She yelled as she approach the attorney and Alex stopped her immediately.
He too was reeling from the revelation so as the rest of the family. He is already angry and hope his father doesn't make things worse.
"....shall go to... his son" the attorney continued making the whole room fall dead silent again.
"Liam Ross."
The room erupted into chaos, gasps and shocked whispers filling the air. Ava's eyes locked onto Liam's who was shocked by the revelation too.Her mind racing with questions. What did it all mean? And why had Sir Ross left her 12% of the shares? And the trust fund???
The room was suffocating, the air thick with tension. The soft hum of the air conditioner and the quiet ticking of the clock on the wall seemed to amplify the silence. The Ross family's wealth and opulence were evident in the lavish furnishings and expensive artwork that adorned the walls, but the atmosphere was far from luxurious.
Kate Ross's face was ashen, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief. She stumbled backwards, her hand grasping for the back of the chair as if to steady herself. "Sixteen billion dollars?" "Liam" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Alex's face was a mask of fury, his eyes blazing with anger and resentment. He took a step forward, his fists clenched at his sides, as if he was ready to pounce on the attorney. "This can't be right," he growled, his voice low and menacing.
Asher looked like he'd been punched in the gut, his eyes wide with shock and disappointment. He slumped back in his chair, his face pale and clammy.
Ava's eyes were fixed on Liam, her mind reeling with questions and emotions. She felt like she was in a dream, like everything was happening in slow motion. She was aware of the commotion around her, but it seemed distant, muffled.
Liam's face was a mask of calmness, but his eyes betrayed his shock and surprise. He looked like he'd been blindsided, like he had no idea what was coming. He glanced at Ava, his eyes locking onto hers for a brief moment before he looked away.
Ruby's face was red with anger and resentment, her eyes blazing with fury. She glared at Ava, her expression venomous. "This is ridiculous," she spat, her voice venomous.
The room was a powder keg of emotions, the tension palpable. It seemed like anything could happen next, like the room was holding its breath in anticipation of what was to come.
The attorney's voice burst through the chaos "that's not all!"