The atmosphere in the attorney’s office was suffocating. Mark, the eldest son who hadn’t visited his father in three years, was already planning how to liquidate the estate.
“To my son Mark,” the lawyer read in a monotone voice, “I leave the entirety of my company, ‘Vantage Holdings,’ and all associated bank accounts.”
Mark slammed his hand on the table triumphantly. “Boom! Sorry, sis. Maybe I’ll hire you as a cleaner.”
Jenny, who had nursed their father through his final illness alone, simply nodded. “I don’t mind, Mark. I just wanted his journals.”
“And to my daughter Jennifer,” the lawyer continued, raising his voice slightly, “I leave the private contents of my safety deposit box and the ‘useless’ plot of land in Texas.”
Mark cackled. “The dust bowl? Good luck farming dirt!”
The lawyer cleared his throat, peering over his glasses at Mark. “Actually, Mr. Vantage… regarding the company you just inherited. Are you aware that ‘Vantage Holdings’ currently has $40 million in outstanding lawsuits and is under federal investigation?”
Mark’s smile vanished. “What?”
“Your father transferred all liquid assets out of the company last month,” the lawyer explained, sliding a heavy key toward Jenny. “He used the cash to buy mineral rights for that ‘dust bowl’ in Texas. The oil survey came back yesterday. The land is worth approximately $150 million.”
Mark stood up, pale as a ghost, realizing he had just inherited a mountain of debt, while the sister he mocked was now the richest woman in the state.
