Then the attorney stood.
“According to the final will of Vivienne Sterling,” he said, “there is one condition that must be fulfilled before the inheritance is distributed.”
The lawyer turned toward me and held out an envelope sealed in dark red wax.
“Sir, you are the primary beneficiary of Ms. Sterling’s estate, valued at approximately eighty-nine million dollars.”
A ripple went through the room. People straightened in their seats. My cousins stared like the air had been knocked out of them.
Then the lawyer added, “However… the will requires that you read the contents of this letter aloud. Here. Now.”
The room didn’t just go silent.
It braced.
My father’s hand tightened around the armrest.
“That’s unnecessary,” he said quietly.
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