CHAPTER 1 — The Funeral That Changed Everything
The rain never stopped the day Jonathan Ashford was buried.
America's most mysterious billionaire...
Founder of Ashford Global Holdings...
A man worth nearly $12.7 billion...
Gone.
Thousands attended.
Politicians.
Celebrities.
Business leaders.
Even people who had hated him came to watch the funeral.
Everyone wanted one thing.
His money.
Standing near the back of the cemetery was Jonathan's only daughter...
Sophia Ashford.
Thirty-two.
Simple black dress.
No jewelry.
No makeup.
She cried quietly while the rest of the family whispered behind her.
Jonathan's younger brother, Victor Ashford, smirked.
"She's weak."
"She'll never run the company."
His wife, Margaret, nodded.
"After today, everything belongs to us."
Sophia heard every word.
She said nothing.
Because her father had taught her something years ago.
"Never interrupt your enemies while they're making a mistake."
After the funeral...
Everyone gathered inside Ashford Manor.
The famous attorney placed a thick envelope on the oak table.
"The Last Will and Testament of Jonathan Ashford."
Silence filled the room.
Victor could barely hide his excitement.
He had spent years convincing everyone that Jonathan was too sick to manage the company.
He had already bribed board members.
Bought politicians.
Prepared new contracts.
Everything depended on this moment.
The lawyer cleared his throat.
"My entire estate..."
Victor smiled.
"...will remain frozen."
The room froze.
"What?"
"No beneficiary will receive a single dollar..."
"...until my final condition has been fulfilled."
Victor slammed his fist on the table.
"What condition?"
The lawyer slowly unfolded another page.
"The rightful heir must first locate..."
"...my hidden inheritance."
Everyone looked confused.
Jonathan had left billions.
What inheritance could possibly be hidden?
Then the lawyer read one final sentence.
"The clue begins where nobody thought to look..."
"...inside my empty grave."
Gasps echoed through the mansion.
An empty grave?
Sophia felt her heart stop.
Because she had watched her father's coffin lowered into the ground.
Unless...
May you like
The funeral itself had been part of his final game.
TO BE CONTINUED...
