Chapter 9 - THE SECOND INHERITANCE“That’s impossible,” Martha said, forcing her voice to remain steady, though her palms were slick with cold sweat. “Arthur’s will was verified by the Supreme Court three weeks ago. Everything belongs to Leo.”
Julian Ashford chuckled softly—a dry, humorless sound that sent a shiver straight down her spine. He walked over to the grand fireplace, tracing a gloved finger along the mantelpiece where a framed portrait of young Leo and his late father once stood.
“Supreme Court? Probate judges? Bless your heart, Martha, you think law is absolute,” Julian murmured, turning to face her with eyes as sharp as obsidian. “My brother Victor was a fool. He was arrogant, impatient, and sloppy. He thought murder was the only way to secure the family fortune. But violence leaves scars, trials, and awkward paper trails.”
Julian picked up the heavy leather briefcase, placing it squarely on the desk right in front of her. With a sharp click, he popped the brass latches and swung the lid open.
Inside sat stacks of yellowed, fragile legal parchment, tied together with faded red ribbons, alongside a notarized family covenant dated thirty years prior.
“Victor tried to steal what was already destined to return to me by bloodline,” Julian continued, his tone chillingly casual. “Under the 1974 Ashford Family Charter, if the direct male heir—my late brother Arthur—passed away under disputed or violent circumstances, the entire estate reverts not to a minor child, nor to a domestic employee turned trustee, but to the eldest surviving brother of sound mind.”
Julian leaned forward, locking his piercing gaze onto Martha’s face.
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“And unlike Victor, I don't need to lock doors or burn down mansions to get what’s mine. I have a team of international lawyers arriving at nine o'clock tomorrow morning. By noon, this house, these companies, and this foundation will belong to me.”
Martha stared at the documents, her mind racing at lightspeed. She looked toward the open library door, knowing that upstairs, sound asleep in his bed after months of terror, was little Leo—finally safe, finally happy, completely unaware that a new wolf was standing at the door.
