Chapter 2
Winifred Foster's death was already predetermined. I had nothing to do with it. But nobody believed me.
Two hours later, the forensic department released its preliminary autopsy report.
The cause of death was an acute extensive myocardial infarction.
No poisonous substances were found in the deceased's blood or stomach contents.
Coupled with my testimony and the medical records and medications found in the safe in her study, everything added up.
Not surprisingly, I was cleared of suspicion.
By the time I walked out of the police station, dawn was breaking.
The Foster family's car was parked outside the entrance. Both Winifred's parents and Gulliver were present.
The moment they saw me, my mother-in-law rushed up to me and screamed, "You scumbag! My daughter has always been so healthy. How can she have a heart attack? It must be you! You worthless loser, it's all your fault!"
She was raving like a lunatic in front of the police station. In the end, my father-in-law had to hold her back.
Gulliver was holding the kid, and his eyes were swollen and red from crying.
"Mother, don’t say that... Winifred... she must have been too overjoyed to finally have her own child... It's all my fault. If we hadn't come back and had a confrontation with Randall, Winifred wouldn't have..." Gulliver choked on tears and couldn't continue anymore.
His words were ostensibly meant to comfort the old lady, but in reality, he was shifting all the blame onto me.
Look at how crafty and shrewd his act of manipulation was!
As I stood there watching this melodramatic family farce play out, I was completely unmoved.
After some time, I turned my attention to Gulliver. "Now that Winifred is dead, what are you planning to do with your kid?"
Gulliver stopped sobbing momentarily and instinctively wrapped his arms protectively around the five-year-old.
"He's Winifred's child. Of course, I'll do everything I can to care for him!" he snapped indignantly.
"Oh. All the best then." I gave an indifferent nod.
Thereafter, I walked past them, got into a waiting taxi, and left without further thought.
Behind me, my mother-in-law's curses became louder and more offensive.
I returned to the villa that no longer felt like home. Winifred's body had been removed, but the unearthly, lingering scent of death still hung in the air.
I started packing my bags. I didn't want to spend another second in this god-forsaken place.
*****
Winifred's funeral was an extremely grand affair. Other than family and friends, well-known names from the business world also turned up.
As Winifred's lawful husband, I had to be present. I stood in the funeral parlor in a black Chanel suit impassively, enduring all the stares from strangers. Some were sympathetic, while others were downright nosy and rude.
Gulliver showed up with that 5-year-old called Zechariah. Both of them were dressed in somber colors from head to toe. Gulliver was wailing so sorrowfully as if he were Winifred's true husband.
Meanwhile, my mother-in-law was glaring at me with undisguised hatred in her eyes, despite needing people to support her.
During the memorial service, the old lady suddenly launched into a tirade.
In front of everyone, she pointed at my face and started yelling.
"You worthless bastard! You killed my daughter, and now you want a share of the Foster family's fortune? Let me warn you. As long as I live, you won't get a single penny!"
She then lunged at me to scratch my face, but some relatives quickly pulled her back.
I remained in the same spot without moving. In fact, I didn't even so much as raise an eyebrow.
"Mother, please, calm down. Winifred is watching from above. She wouldn't want to see you like this," I said impassively.
But my calling her "Mother" only fueled her anger.
"Mother? Don't you dare call me that! I don't have a son-in-law as wicked as you!" the old lady shrieked.
Just then, Gulliver "fainted." As he slumped to the ground, everybody was sent into a panic.
"Gulliver! Gulliver, are you okay? Hurry, get him to the hospital! He's a part of our family now!" my mother-in-law cried in shock.
The solemn funeral had descended into a farcical mayhem. This was the opening interlude before the actual battle over inheritance began.
I simply watched indifferently and found the whole thing laughable.
After the funeral, it was time for the will to be read.
Weston Warlmer, the Foster family's attorney, unsealed the folder and pulled out the documents.
Everyone held their breath, in particular Gulliver and Winifred's parents. They were certain Winifred would leave the entire estate to her so-called "son."
Weston cleared his throat and started reading aloud. "I, Winifred Foster, hereby declare this will... All my assets, including but not limited to 51% equity in Foster World Corp, three properties, as well as all bank deposits and securities..."
He paused to look at me for a moment before continuing, "… will be inherited solely by my lawful husband, Randall Gutenberg."
A hushed silence fell over the crowd.
Everyone turned to look at me. There was shock, bewilderment, and finally fury.
Gulliver, who had recovered from his earlier fainting, looked ready to faint again.
My mother-in-law was the first to break the silence.
"Impossible! This will is a fake! My daughter would never leave everything to a loser like you! This must be a forgery!" she screamed into my face.
Weston, unfazed by the ruckus, showed the notarized will and its date to everyone.
"Mrs. Foster, this will was made ten years ago and is perfectly valid under the law. Winifred never made another will after she made her bequest to her husband," he said.
Ten years ago... That was when Winifred and I were madly in love with each other.
She was worried that if anything happened to her, I would have no one to rely on. Thus, she insisted I accompany her to the lawyer's office when she made her will.