CHAPTER 3: TURNING THE TABLES
I held the fountain pen, its gold nib gleaming under the crystal chandelier. The entire room seemed to hold its breath. My mother stared at the pen as if it were a loaded gun pointed directly at her chest. She took a frantic step forward, her demeanor shifting a full 180 degrees. The rage evaporated, replaced by a desperate, pathetic pleading that made my stomach turn.
"Hannah... my sweet girl," she stammered, her voice cracking as she wrung her hands together. "You know your mother didn't mean it. That slap... it was just because I've been so deeply grief-stricken over your father's passing. I couldn't control my emotions. We are family, Hannah. You can't sign that document. If you do, what will the neighbors say? It will make our family a laughingstock."
I paused, keeping the pen hovering over the paper, and looked up at her. "Family? You threw me out of this house less than ten minutes ago, Mother. Have you forgotten? You told me this was your house, and that I had no right to be here."
"That... that was just spoken in the heat of anger!" My mother stammered, her eyes darting frantically around the room, begging for support from the guests. But the relatives and neighbors who loved gossip so much earlier now kept their eyes glued to the floor. No one wanted to be associated with a high-profile case of asset fraud and elder financial abuse.
Seeing our mother beg broke Chloe's remaining restraint. She slammed her hands down, leaning over the table to block my view of the paper. "Hannah! Don't you dare get cocky! Dad was sick, you obviously manipulated or forced him into signing this! I am going to sue you! I will hire the best lawyers in the state to drag you to court for defrauding an incapacitated elderly man!"
Mr. Miller let out a soft, sharp chuckle—a sound filled with the sheer amusement of a seasoned legal veteran. "Miss Chloe, you are more than welcome to file a lawsuit. But let me warn you: the legal fees will be astronomical. Furthermore, given the hospital's security footage showing you and your mother berating Mr. Richard for money on his deathbed, combined with the bank statements tracing your unauthorized wire transfers... I suspect that before any inheritance trial begins, you will be facing a criminal court for grand larceny and felony fraud."
Mr. Miller’s words hit Chloe like a bucket of ice water. She froze instantly, her mouth hanging open, unable to utter a single sound. Her shoulders slumped. The unearned confidence of a spoiled socialite driving a stolen sports car vanished into thin air, leaving behind nothing but raw, trembling terror.
Suddenly, Jason—my pathetic excuse for a boyfriend—stepped forward. He plastered on his most charming, practiced smile and reached out, attempting to place a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Hannah, babe, I knew you were being treated unfairly. I always believed in you. What your mother and Chloe did was absolutely monstrous. Don't worry, I'm right here by your side now. Why don't I help you manage all these complicated legal procedures?"
I leaned back, dodging his touch, my eyes dripping with pure venom. "Jason, do you honestly think I am blind? When my mother slapped me, you sat there. When she banished me from my own family, you didn't say a single word to defend me. Now that you see I own the estate, you want to play the hero? You disgust me."
I didn't waste another second looking at his pale, pathetic face. I turned back to the document, pressed the nib of the pen to the paper, and signed my name with absolute finality: Hannah Brooks.
"It is done," Mr. Miller smiled, retrieving the document and securing his briefcase. "Congratulations, Miss Brooks. As of this moment, you are the sole legal owner of this estate and the entirety of Mr. Richard Brooks’ assets. All executive powers are now active."
I stood up straight, feeling a surge of power I had never known before. The insecurity and pain that had built up over a lifetime of being the forgotten, unloved daughter evaporated. I looked around the dining room, looking down at the people who were now trembling before me.
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"Mother," I said, my voice cold, devoid of any warmth. "And Chloe. Listen to me very carefully."
Both of them looked up at me, their eyes filled with absolute dread. They knew that the power of life and death in this house now rested solely in my hands.
