Chapter 4
Grandpa continued. "Linda, when your daughter went abroad, you asked me for money for her tuition three times. That's three hundred twenty thousand dollars."
Linda's lips moved, but she didn't say a word.
"David, when you bought a house and got married, I covered the down payment for you. That's two hundred twenty-seven thousand dollars," Robert said.
David's face turned pale.
Grandpa coughed in the video.
He said, "I never asked you to pay me back.
"I'm not confused.
"It's because I still see you as family."
The room was dead silent.
Emily stood beside me, her gaze icy as she looked at the others.
Grandpa closed the ledger.
He said, "But James is different.
"After he graduated from college, I was sick for three years.
"He spent time with me every week.
"He helped me shower, picked up my meds, and took me to the hospital.
"He never once asked me for money."
My throat tightened.
I did go to see him a lot during those three years.
It wasn't for the inheritance.
It was that grandpa had taken care of me when I was little.
I always felt that as he got older, it was my turn to be there for him.
Grandpa looked straight into the camera.
He said, "I'll give my money to whoever I choose.
"My house, my shares, and all my cash. They all go to James.
"If anyone has a problem with that, take it to court.
"But if anyone tries to mess with him or make a scene, I've got a second set of documents ready."
Linda's face went pale.
David clenched his jaw.
David said, "This can't be real.
"This video is totally fake."
Emily picked up her phone.
She said, "This video came straight from the lawyer handling the will.
"There's the original file, the timestamp, and witness statements.
"If you think it's fake, take it to court."
She looked at him.
"Don't make a scene here," she said.
David was left speechless.
My dad stared at me.
"Did you know about this all along?" he asked.
I said, "I only found out this afternoon."
He let out a cold laugh. "So you've been pretending all this time?"
I looked at him. "Weren't you all pretending too?
"Pretending to be the dutiful child.
"Acting like you're the victim.
"Acting like Grandpa was unfair to you."
Robert couldn't hide his embarrassment.
"I'm your father," he snapped.
Emily suddenly spoke up.
"That's exactly why it's more shameful," she said.
Robert shot her a sharp look.
She didn't back down.
Emily shot back, "When you forced him to sign that waiver earlier, did it cross your mind that you're his dad?
"When you called me an outsider and told me to keep quiet, did you think about the fact that I'm his wife?
"Now you want to talk about family? Isn't it a little late for that?"
He was visibly upset.
Linda burst into tears.
She sobbed, "We want a little fairness.
"Why does Robert always play favorites?"
Emily looked at her. "Fair? Every single entry in that ledger has a name next to it.
"But when you were taking the money, did you ever talk about fairness then?"
Linda's sobs suddenly stopped.
Susan said quietly, "With all that money, there's no way you could ever spend it all."
Emily turned to her. "Because we can't spend it all, you think you deserve it?"
"If you had more food than you could eat, would you give it to someone barging in to take your food?"
Susan's face turned red.
I almost laughed out loud.
But I couldn't bring myself to laugh.
Because Emily never once looked at me since the video started.
She was standing up for me.
But she was calling me out too.
The video kept playing.
Grandpa picked up another document.
He said, "The second set of documents covers every dollar I loaned out these years, and all the things they did in my name.
"I was going to let them keep their dignity.
"If they behave, I'll let it slide.
"But if they cause trouble, James, give it straight to the lawyer.
"Whatever's owed, get it back.
"And if anyone's responsible, make them pay for it."
With those final words, the video ended.
The room was so quiet that you could hear everyone's breathing.
Linda was the first to panic. "James, don't take what your grandpa said so seriously.
"Come on, we're family. If we drag this to court, it'll make us look bad."
Emily spoke up, her voice icy. "Weren't you saying you'd take it to court?
"Now you're worried about looking bad?"
David shot her a glare.
"Keep your mouth shut," he snapped.
I picked up my phone from the table.
I said, "If you say one more thing to her.
"I'll send the second set of documents to the lawyer right now."
David choked on his words.
My dad stared at me, his eyes cold as a blade.
"You're picking money over your own father?" he said.
I looked at him. "Dad, I'm not turning my back on you for money.
"You were the one who put money before me."
His face fell.
The moment the words left my mouth, I felt a hollow open up inside me.
It wasn't pain.
Everything finally settled.
Linda tried to say something, but Emily was already at the door, pulling it open.
Emily said, "Everyone, I'm saving copies of all the recordings, videos, and the agreements you brought today.
"James and I will see the lawyer at ten tomorrow morning.
"If you still want to talk, let the lawyer handle it. It's time for you to go."