Chapter Two

2023, New York City.

Julian sat in the chair, looking at his father's lawyer while he blocked out the sound of his half brother Harrison shouting.

"He doesn't deserve this company, I was the one here." Harrison's face was red with anger.

His father was dead.

A heart attack, they had told him. He never went to see the man, still angry at being sent away. Instead, he built his own empire from the ground and was the owner of all the best clubs and bars in the city.

Julian has not wanted to come for the reading of the will. It was sufficient that he had made himself available for the burial ceremony, looking at the old man in the casket before he was out inside. However, his father's lawyer had approached him and was pleased that he should be here. If there was one man he respected, it was Maxwell Domilko, so he had agreed to come.

His stepmother and step brother were in the room when he had walked in. The conference office of Liberty Bank had been chosen by their father as the place his will should be read.

Maxwell took in the faces of the people that sat down in the office, pleased to see Julian had come. He brought out the papers, put on his small reading glasses, and began reading the last will of Alexis De Santis.

"My beloved family, if this is being read, it means I am no more. I implore you to carry me in your hearts and love me just like I loved you all." No one said anything, so Maxwell continued.

"This is the legal division of my properties and belongings, this will was revised in April 2023, by 5 pm. I am of sound mind."

Maxwell turned a page. "To my wife, my friend. I leave the beach house in the Hamptons. Have fun, throw parties, and leave life as a socialite. You are also entitled to a sum of $100,000 every month. Your maids, workers, and chef shall leave with you."

Lily David wiped a tear from her eye. Her husband had included her in his will. Recently, they had multiple fights, and she never knew that the last fight they had, he would be dead. She was grateful.

"To my stepson, Harrison," Maxwell continued. "You have shown yourself to be a fine businessman, able to handle challenges. However, you have bad judgment and character. I leave you the sum of $1,000,000. The house in Canada is yours too. I also appoint you, the Chief Operating Officer of Liberty Event Centers. I believe you'll be best suited there."

"What was that?" Harrison spoke. Just a million dollars? The old man was rich, and he didn't become the CEO of his ventures. Harrison David fidgeted in his seat, pulling at his tie.

Maxwell watched him through his glasses, taking in the behavior of the young man. "To my trusted secretary, Miriam. It is time you retire. I will leave you the sum of $500,000."

Julian stood up, knowing that the old man had left nothing to him. He excused himself when Maxwell asked him to wait. The will reading wasn't done.

"And to my son, my first child." Julian leaned his seat backwards. "I wished you would come visit your old man. I followed all your progress, from Italy, to Harvard and back to Italy. You are truly my son. I leave you all my properties, the houses in Italy, Brazil, Spain, and Boston. I leave you as my chief accounting personnel. And finally, I appoint you, CEO and chairman of Liberty Properties and Ventures. All properties, buildings tied to my company, I leave to you." Maxwell looked up.

And that's when the shouting started.

Lily calmly told Maxwell that the will had to be wrong. Surely, even though her husband was angry with her, he would have done what she desired. She was his biggest manipulator.

Harrison was screaming, his voice could probably be heard on the last floor.

Julian took in the scene unfolding before him. His father, the bastard, had played his last card. He knew he wanted nothing to do with the family name.

"He doesn't deserve it," Harrison cried out. He pointed at Julian.

"You bastard, tell me what you did to get this," his face was turning red.

Julian De Santis hated being insulted, and Harrison had just crossed the line. He stood up, stretching to his full 6'5 frame, and his Italian suit moved, he felt like a god.

"Thank you so much, Maxwell. My father treasured you," he said. Maxwell looked at the young man he was fond of, a smile on his face. "I would like to retain you as my personal lawyer. I need someone reliable." Julian said.

Then he turned towards his stepfamily; Lily clutched her mink coat and her Bottega bag like her life depended on it. Harrison's tie had come undone, and his face was flushed, probably from all the shouting.

"My father was in sound health when he made this will. Therefore, as his chief accountant and The CEO, I would make sure all his desires are met," he said, the words sounding like icicles in the ears of his family.

"You don't deserve this," Harrison hissed. His mother grabbed his arm, and he pushed her off. "You have done nothing for him. I worked at the company while you were busy in Italy doing God knows what." Harrison stood up, pointing a finger at Julian.

"I will come after you, for what is mine," he seethed. Julian stood taller than his stepbrother, and an evil grin stretched across his face.

"I dare you."