"Moving on to the distribution of the assets left behind.", O'Neill opened a folder in front of him. "Based on the disclosure, Mr. Washington left an estimated personal fortune of 4.6 million US dollars."

Unrest filled the room.

People began to pace in place. Eyes exchanged surprised glances.

Even Felix's face showed surprise.

Only you and Michael remained calm.

A few years earlier, your father had made sure that there were a handful of investments in banks all over the country. This included building society contracts, trust founds and shares in companies with which his firm worked.

Money had never been an issue while you were growing up but the older you got the more he realised that you could help him maintain the wealth he had built for you.

You knew he had a lot. But this number also made you raise your eyebrows slightly.

Michael remained unmoved. Money and wages had always been the last reason for him to be loyal.

What had counted for him was that your father had been a good employer, respectful and understanding when it came to emergencies and Michael had to take two extra days off.

"4.6 million...", Felix whispered under his breath.

"Personal wealth", O'Neill said. "The number of his net worth is higher."

"We will get to that later.", aunt May stretched her neck to take a glance at the sheets on the table. "Or do you think it would be best to disturb the order?"

Her gaze jumped over to you.

For a moment you kept eye contact. You didn't know why or what made her seem different but it felt like in that moment aunt May wasn't on your side nor the one of the parasites.

It felt like she followed her own goal.

But it made your head hurt to think about what she could have wanted. May wasn't a greedy person, she was well off herself. Not as fortunate as your father had been but wealthy enough to live comfortably and put her son through a good education.

"Fine.", you did a gesture.

"Very well.", O'Neill flipped a page. "According to my will, my personal assets are to be divided among those who stood by me in good times and bad. Supported my family and didn't just see me as a cash machine."

A snort escaped you.

"Sounds just like him...", you mumbled.

May also had to smile.

Again, unease spread through the room. It seemed that most people finally understood that they had come for nothing.

"I want to give up my share.", Felix suddenly said.

All at once all eyes were on him.

Even Aunt May seemed surprised, almost shocked by his answer. Silently she tried to rebuke him, shaking her head through clenched teeth. But he only looked at her for a moment and then nodded at the lawyer.

"Are you certain?", O'Neill asked, taking a closer look at the table on the last sheet. "It is not little."

"I don't care.", Felix assured him.

Then the share will be divided among the remaining heirs.

Satisfied some people smirked with their heads lowered.

It annoyed you to see that the bloodsuckers still thought that this was their way of getting money.

"One moment.", you approached your cousin to put a hand on his shoulder. "I know this isn't easy, but if papa left you money, you should take it for yourself. He wanted you to be taken care of."

Felix stared at you for a moment with his eyebrows drawn together. Not a single word left his lips. There was this expression on his face.

Was it annoyance?

Anger?

Whatever it was, it made you pull your hand back. You didn't feel welcome in his immediate vicinity. A strange feeling that you felt for the very first time.

Taking a deep breath, his eyes still locked with yours, Felix finally leaned towards you to shut out all the unwanted witnesses.

"I don't want the money.", he whispered, almost in a hostile tone. "Keep it. It means nothing to me."

And with that he returned to his position behind his mothers seat and gave the lawyer a nod so that he would continue.

"As you like.", you sighed, not wanting to argue.

"Shall we continue?", O'Neill asked.

"Yes. Let's do it quickly."

"It will be quick.", he changed page again. "The following people will get a share of my money. My one and only child, (Y/N), may you continue to be as good a child and enrich the world as you have enriched my life. My sister-in-law May and her son Felix, for whom I feel a sense of responsibility, my best employee Michael Faserr and my closest friends Liam and Elma Monteau and Lukas Riggs. They are all to receive an equal share of money."

"I would like to give up my share as well.", Lukas suddenly said from a corner of the room.

Annoyed, you squeezed your eyes shut.

"No you won't!", you threw a glare at him.

A sigh escaped this old man.

"You know I don't care about money, little one.", he returned your gaze with a tired smile.

"I know but papa wanted it. So you'll honour his last wish."

"I still have the company."

"That is correct.", with disgusting calm, O'Neill grabbed another folder and flipped through it before stopping on one of the pages. "Here it is. My business partner and old friend Lukas is to remain as cofounder of our company. He shall receive a monthly allowance from the companies profit and is to consult as second in command for changes and improvements."

"So I won't leave empty handed.", Lukas walked up to you to grab you by the shaky shoulders. "I want you to have the dollars."

"It won't bring back my family...", you whispered, vision blurry.

A scratchy chuckle made him show you his row of pearly white teeth.

"I know, kiddo. But unfortunately for you, your one of the young ones. You'll see many more go."

Swallowing hard, you squeezed your eyes shut to take a deep breath. Exhausted, you managed to nod.

"Fine.", you had to rub your face with both hands. "Let's cut this short. What about everyone who wasn't mentioned?"

O'Neill raised an eyebrow.

"There's a passage here too.", he read it in silence before he met your gaze again. "Everyone else can fuck off. You won't see a penny. His words, not mine."