Chapter 3

The silence in the room was suffocating, broken only by the sharp rustle of paper as Maria snatched the document from the lawyer's trembling hands. Her fingers gripped the edges so tightly I thought she might tear it apart. She scanned the words, her face shifting from disbelief to fury.

"No, no, no! This can't be possible. This is some kind of sick joke!" Maria spat, her voice shrill enough to echo off the high ceilings.

"There must be some kind of mistake," Paul added, his tone sharp and accusing, his eyes fixed on the lawyer like he wanted to pounce.

The lawyer didn't flinch at Paul's anger but instead his eyes landed on me. They held a mix of pity and resolve as he reached into his briefcase and pulled out an envelope. He walked toward me, ignoring the shouts and protests filling the air.

I stood frozen, my body too stunned to move. I was unable to comprehend what was happening. The envelope felt heavier than it should have when he placed it in my hands, and I barely registered his murmured, "This is for you."

Before I could even open it, Maria stormed over, ripping it out of my hands with a growl of rage.

She tore it open, her manicured fingers trembling as she yanked the letter out.

Her voice was cold and clipped as she began reading aloud, each word dripping with her growing anger:

"My dear Astrid,

If you are reading this letter, it means I have sadly passed. Do not be dismayed, my dear girl, for I am in a much better place, far from my scheming family.

I have left everything I own to you, dear child, because you have earned it with your kindness and unwavering care. You have shown me love and understanding in ways my own blood never could.

You made my last years joyful, filling my days with music and laughter, even when you beat me at chess time and time again. You never let me feel alone.

You deserve everything, Astrid, and I trust you to make the right decisions. Live your life boldly, and know that I am always proud of you.

Much love,

This old man."

Maria's voice cracked on the last few words, but her expression twisted into something venomous. She threw the letter to the ground like it burned her, her chest heaving as she glared at me.

"You disgusting whore!" she screamed, her face contorted with rage. "Is this why he gave you everything? Were you *sleeping* with my father?"

I reeled at her words, my stomach churning with a mix of grief and fury. "What? No! How could you even—"

"What did you do to him?" Paul cut in, his voice rising to match Maria's. His gaze was sharp, his jaw clenched. "What did you do to our father? Poison him against us? Manipulate him?"

I took a step back, my heart pounding. Their accusations felt like daggers.

"I..didn't do anything! I cared for him—for four years! I was his caregiver, not his damn mistress!" My voice cracked under the weight of my emotions, but I didn't care.

Maria let out a bitter laugh. "*Caregiver*? Is that what you call it? You wormed your way into his heart while we were busy running his empire! And now you think you can take what's ours? You shameless Gold digger!"

Maria stuck a nerve.

"Yours?" I shot back, unable to hold back anymore. "You mean the same man you barely visited unless you wanted something? The man who practically begged for your attention while you flaunted his riches? You have no right to accuse me of anything!"

"How dare you!" Maria hissed, stepping closer, her face inches from mine. She looked like she might hit me.

"No," I said firmly, my voice steady despite the tears blurring my vision. "How dare *you*. He was more than just money or a company. He was a kind, brilliant man who deserved love and care, not the cold indifference you all gave him."

Paul slammed a fist on the table, his voice booming. "Don't you dare speak to us like that you filthy whore!"

I didn't reply. I simply bent down, picked up the letter from where Maria had thrown it, and held it to my chest. Mr. Caldwell's words replaying in my mind.

He had been so kind to me, so different from the people now surrounding me, their faces twisted with greed and fury.

Maria's sharp voice shattered my thoughts. "You will renounce the inheritance immediately!" she demanded, pointing an accusatory finger at me. "He was our father! I'm certain he wasn't in his right mind when he gave everything to you."

Paul seized on her words, stepping forward. "Exactly! He was old, frail, and on pain medication. That could've messed with his mind!" He turned to the lawyer, his tone clipped and commanding. "All of this can't be legal. You need to void the will."

The lawyer, who had been standing silently amidst the chaos, raised a hand to calm the room. "Mr. Caldwell was of sound mind when he amended his will," he said firmly, his demeanor calm. "He had full mental clarity and understood the implications of his decisions."

Maria scoffed, her laughter sharp and humorless. "How convenient. And we're just supposed to believe you?"

The lawyer didn't waver. Instead, he reached into his briefcase and retrieved another document. "He also ensured a witness was present when he wrote the letter and finalized the will. Everything was done legally and by the book."

Maria's eyes narrowed, her voice dripping with suspicion. "A witness? Who?"

The lawyer's gaze shifted toward the doorway. "Alfred."

A hush fell over the room as the butler stepped forward, his footsteps measured and deliberate. His expression calm.

"Master Caldwell requested my presence as a witness," Alfred said, his deep, steady voice cutting through the tension. "I was there for every word, every signature. I can confirm his intentions were clear."

Paul stared at him, his expression a mixture of disbelief and betrayal. "You bastard." he spat. "You're siding with her?"

Alfred straightened, his chin lifting slightly. "I am honoring Master Caldwell's wishes, as I always have."

Maria's face twisted in fury. "You're lying! You've been plotting with her, haven't you? This is all some scheme!"

Alfred's calm demeanor didn't falter. "I've served this family faithfully for decades," he said evenly. "And I will not stand here and let you tarnish Master Caldwell's memory with baseless accusations."

I watched the exchange, my hands clutching the letter tightly. My throat burned with unshed tears, but I couldn't bring myself to speak.

Maria suddenly turned toward me, her eyes wild with rage. Before I could react, she lunged at me, her hands clawing at my face and hair. The attack was vicious, her nails raking across my skin as I stumbled backward in shock.

"Stop!" The lawyer's panicked voice rang out as he rushed forward, joined by her son Asher. Together, they managed to pull her off me, but not before she left angry, burning scratches on my cheeks.

I touched my face gingerly, my fingers coming away with faint streaks of blood. My heart pounded as I stared at her, wide-eyed and trembling.

"You think you've won, don't you?" she hissed. "But this isn't over. We'll fight this. We'll drag you through court if we have to!"

I didn't respond. I couldn't. The sheer hatred in her eyes was paralyzing. My body felt frozen, my breaths shallow.

Alfred stepped in front of me like a shield, he placed a firm but gentle hand on my arm. "Come with me, Miss Bennett. You're not safe here."

I let him guide me toward the door, my legs moving automatically, though my mind was reeling. Behind us, the family erupted into a frenzy, their angry voices following us like a storm.

"Get back here, you little whore!" someone screamed.

Alfred ignored them, his grip on my arm steady as we stepped outside. Once we reached the driveway, he handed me a set of car keys. His expression was grim.

"Go home for now," he said firmly. "Before this gets worse."

I hesitated, looking back toward the house. My lips trembled as I nodded, taking the keys with a shaking hand.

Alfred gave my arm a reassuring squeeze. "You've done nothing wrong. Remember that."

I wanted to believe him. But as I climbed into the car, my face still stinging from Maria's attack, I wasn't so sure.