Chapter 4

"Mom," Simon said softly.

"Get out!" I snapped.

Simon took a deep breath, turned, and walked out of the hospital room.

Celeste started to say something, but I waved her off. "You should leave too. I just want to be alone for a bit."

I was alone in the hospital room.

I pulled the IV from my hand, got up, and walked to the window. The city was just stirring in the gentle morning light.

My phone buzzed.

It was a message from the lawyer: [Mrs. Riley, Mr. Riley's will has been validated. You are first in line to inherit. We can begin the process whenever you're ready.]

I replied: [Handle it promptly.]

Then I opened my contacts and found a number I hadn't called in ages.

The call connected, and a calm male voice came through. "Estelle?"

"It's me," I said. "Norman's gone."

There was a brief silence.

"What do you need me to do?" he asked.

"I need you to check on two things," I said, gazing out at the brightening sky. "First, the financial status of Alison's family company. Second, Simon's bank records for the past three years."

"Got it," he replied.

After hanging up, I went back to the bed and lay down again.

Even with my eyes closed, I could still picture Norman and Alison tangled up together in the car.

It had been forty years.

I had spent forty years putting on a pretense of gentle virtue and unworldly innocence.

When Simon pushed the door open, I was carefully massaging each finger with the hospital-issued hand cream.

The doctor said I was a bit dehydrated and needed more rest, but I couldn't skip my hand care routine.

"Mom," he said, standing by the bed. He was dressed in a sharp suit, but his tie was a little crooked. That was a little slip he only made when he was stressed.

He said, "The lawyer's here. He's waiting for you in the conference room."

I looked up at Simon, tears in my eyes, the subtle wrinkles at the corners telling my grief. "Simon, I can't walk now."

"Let me help you," Simon said, coming over and gently holding my arm. His hand was firm and warm, just as it had been when Norman was young.

"How's the arrangement for Norman's funeral going?" I asked, my voice catching.

"It's already being handled," Simon replied shortly. "Let's go see the lawyer first."

Celeste was waiting by the conference room door. As soon as she saw me, she hurried over and took my other arm. "Estelle, be careful."

She was wearing a black dress today, with a pearl necklace around her neck. It was the birthday gift Norman got me at last year's auction.

I glanced at it but said nothing.

Three people were seated in the conference room. One was Carlos Herrera, the Riley family's long-time legal counsel, a man in his sixties with salt-and-pepper hair and sharp, perceptive eyes.

The second was Shane Madison, Norman's personal financial advisor. The third was a stranger to me.

He was in his early forties with gold-rimmed glasses, and a thick stack of documents laid out in front of him.

"Mrs. Riley, please accept my condolences," Carlos said, standing up and giving a slight bow.

With Simon and Celeste supporting me, I settled into my seat and pulled out my handkerchief, gently dabbing at my eyes. "Mr. Herrera, Norman passed away so suddenly."

"We're all very sorry for your loss," Carlos said in a formal tone. "According to Mr. Riley's will and the legal requirements, we'll need to start some formal procedures today."

Simon sat down next to me, sitting up straight. "Mr. Herrera, what exactly does the will say?"

Carlos opened the file in front of him. "Mr. Norman Riley made his will five years ago, and it was notarized.

"The main terms are as follows: First, all his real estate, including the main house in Cloudside Villa Estate, Riverside Apartments, and three vacation homes in Virella, are left to his wife, Estelle."

Celeste drew in a soft breath.

"Second, of the 67% shares Mr. Riley held in Newrise Group, 60% will go to Estelle Rankin, and 7% will go to his son, Simon Riley," Carlos continued.

Simon's expression shifted.

Carlos said, "Third, Mr. Riley's overseas trust funds, stocks, bonds, and other liquid assets, worth about 1 billion dollars, will be placed in a dedicated trust.

"Estelle will be the beneficiary, and she'll get a fixed monthly payout for her living expenses.

Once Mrs. Riley passes away, half of the trust principal will go to a charitable foundation, and the other half will be inherited by Simon Riley."

The atmosphere in the conference room froze.

"Fourth," Carlos continued, "Mr. Riley's private collection of paintings, antiques, jewelry, and other valuables will all be entrusted to Estelle for her to handle as she wishes."

"Wait," Simon interrupted, his voice tense. "Dad's only giving me 7%?"

Carlos adjusted his glasses. "Yes, that's clearly stated in the will."

"No way!" Simon shot to his feet. "I'm his only son. We built Newrise Group together. How could he just leave me 7%?"