The will

Her breath hitched as she saw her father lying motionless on the bed, his face pale and lifeless.

"No… no, no, no," she whispered, stumbling forward.

Her legs gave out beneath her, and she collapsed to the floor, a gut-wrenching sob escaping her lips. Tears blurred her vision as she reached for him, shaking his arm as if that would bring him back. But he didn't move. He was gone.

"Dad, please," she choked out, her entire body trembling.

Daniel rushed in after her, placing a hand on her shoulder, trying to steady her, but the grief consuming her was too much.

Then, her gaze lifted—and landed on Maria, who stood near the bed, watching with an unreadable expression.

A slow, burning rage took over Anna's sorrow.

"You killed him!" she screamed, springing to her feet. "You witch! This is your doing! Why?!"

With pure fury, she lunged at Maria, ready to claw her apart, but Daniel grabbed her just in time, holding her back.

"Let me go!" she yelled, struggling against his grip. "She poisoned him! I know she did!"

Maria simply tilted her head, a faint smirk tugging at her lips.

Daniel managed to calm Anna down, whispering reassurances as she trembled in his arms. He promised they would uncover the truth, but for now, they needed to focus on laying her father to rest.

The burial preparations began immediately the next day.

Daniel held Anna's hand as they stood near the grave, watching as her father's coffin was lowered into the earth. The weight of grief pressed against her chest, making it hard to breathe.

Anna had fought to get an autopsy done, desperate to prove her suspicions, but when the police report came back, it simply stated that Mr. Williams had died of a natural heart attack. No evidence of poisoning. No case to investigate.

It felt like a slap in the face.

Maria stood nearby, playing the role of a grieving widow perfectly. Her makeup was smudged as if she had spent days crying, and she looked frail, barely able to stand without support. But Anna saw through it.

Her children, on the other hand, didn't even bother to pretend.

Chris, the second son, leaned against a tree, a cigarette hanging from his lips as if he had no care in the world. Lucy, the youngest, was dressed like she was heading to a nightclub instead of a funeral—her dress was too short, her makeup too bold. Richard, the eldest, didn't even show up.

Anna's hands clenched into fists. How could they be so indifferent?

As the priest finished the final prayers, Maria let out a dramatic sob, clutching the edge of the coffin as if she wanted to throw herself inside.

"Oh, my love!" she cried. "How will I live without you?"

Anna narrowed her eyes.

She really has no shame.

The moment the funeral ended, Maria suddenly straightened. The sorrow on her face disappeared in an instant, replaced by a sharp, calculating look.

"I need everyone back at the house," she announced. "Mr. Williams' lawyer will be reading the will."

Anna turned toward her sharply. "Already?" she asked, voice tight with disbelief.

Maria placed a delicate hand on her chest and sighed dramatically. "I know it's soon, dear, but we must settle these things quickly. It's what he would have wanted."

Anna's blood boiled. She doesn't even want to wait a single day before claiming what's his.

Daniel gently squeezed her arm, silently reminding her to stay calm. She swallowed her anger and followed the crowd back to the mansion.

The air in the mansion was tense. The lawyer, an older man with silver-rimmed glasses, stood at the head of the room, flipping through a thick file. Maria sat in the largest chair, her posture relaxed, as if she already knew what was coming.

Anna sat opposite her, arms crossed tightly over her chest. Daniel stood behind her, a steady presence.

The lawyer cleared his throat and began reading.

"I, William Patrick Williams, being of sound mind and body, hereby declare this to be my last will and testament."

Anna inhaled sharply as the reading continued.

Small donations were given to charities, former employees, and distant relatives. But as the lawyer moved on to the major assets, Anna felt her heart pound.

"To my beloved daughter, Anna Williams, I leave the Williams estate and all properties co-owned by my late wife and me. It was her wish, as it is mine, that these remain in Anna's care."

Anna blinked.

She… she got the house?

She had been so sure that Maria would manipulate the will in her favor, but the estate—her childhood home—was still hers.

She barely had time to process that before the lawyer continued.

"The majority of my shares and controlling interest in Williams Enterprises will be inherited by my wife, Maria Williams."

Anna's stomach dropped.

"What?" she whispered, barely able to breathe.

Maria smiled, slow and satisfied.

"I now own the company," she said sweetly, looking directly at Anna.

Anna shot to her feet. "That's impossible! My father wouldn't—"

"The will is legal and binding," the lawyer interrupted, adjusting his glasses. "Your father signed this himself. Maria Williams is now the majority shareholder."

Anna shook her head, fury clouding her vision. "No… no, this isn't right! He promised me—I worked for this! How did she—"

Maria let out a fake sigh. "Oh, Anna. I know this is hard for you. But it's what your father wanted."

Anna's nails dug into her palms. "He didn't want this! He—"

"Oh, but he did," Maria cut in smoothly. "He married me, after all. And in the end, he trusted me to run the company more than he trusted you."

Anna saw red.

Daniel grabbed her arm before she could lunge at Maria. "Not now," he whispered.

Anna trembled with rage but forced herself to sit back down.

Maria tilted her head, her smile widening.

"Don't worry, dear," she said in a sickeningly sweet voice. "I'l

l take good care of the company."

Anna gritted her teeth, her heart pounding furiously.

Not if I can help it.