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My goal had been to destroy Richard Emsworth’s pristine reputation in the art world. Little did I imagine the two people who would be hurt the most were my half sister and myself.
I’d once asked Tara where her father’s money had come from. At the time, she didn’t yet know I was her brother. It was her answer then that made me put off opening what I held in my hand.
I remembered her words as if they were spoken yesterday. “My dad’s wealth came from the Emsworth family trust, which stipulates that the eldest son of the current controlling eldest son be given half of everything upon their thirtieth birthday. The other half becomes theirs when their father dies.”
“What if there isn’t a son?”
She shrugged. “I think there always has been.”
“What about you?”
She shook her head. “The only way I’d have any control whatsoever would be if I had a son and my father passed away before he came of age. In that case, I’d sit on the board in his place.”
“This is bloody archaic.”
The extremity of my response had likely confused her since she had no idea I was the eldest son.
Based on Penelope’s demeanor, Tara had never mentioned the trust to her, so she had no idea the pile of shit I was about to step into.
Richard’s displeasure when he discovered I was working for K19 Security Solutions, and that it was a condition of my early release from prison, reaffirmed my suspicions as to what was coming. Because, along with the gift of billions came the expectation that I’d be groomed to take over.
“Would you do the honors?” I asked, handing Pen the envelope after acknowledging I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
“Are you sure?”
“We’ll still be sitting here staring at it come dawn if you don’t.”
Her brow furrowed. “Do you want me to read it to you?”
“It will serve to confirm my suspicions. So, peruse it yourself first.”
She pulled out the enclosures in a way that indicated she shared my trepidation.
“Holy fucking shit, Brand!” she exclaimed after several seconds.
“It’s about the Emsworth trust, yes?”
She nodded slowly and set both the letter and its receptacle on the table in front of us. “Half of everything is yours.”
“As you know, it comes at a price.”
She picked the letter up and kept reading. “You’re expected to report to the Emsworth building next Monday—a week from today.”
“Not happening.”
“Can you refuse something like this?” she asked.
“Of course I can.”
“Will you?”
That was the billion-dollar question, wasn’t it? I had no idea what would happen if I did. I knew better than to say it would go to Tara. For the time being, I could pray she was pregnant with a boy, which would mean I might be able to put Richard off for however many months it was until he was born. On the other hand, maybe she wouldn’t want any part of it, either.
“We could talk to my dad,” Pen offered, but then bit her lip. “Although we probably aren’t on speaking terms currently. What about Kade?”
“I need to speak to him regardless, just so he’s aware of the situation.”
I glanced over and found her studying me.