Chapter 2 Get Married for the Inheritance
After the will had been announced, the Swanns were in an uproar.
Korbin immediately doubted the will, but it was announced by Leonel Bolton, Vicente’s lawyer, himself. Besides, Leonel even showed them a video recorded by Vicente, especially for his will before he died, as proof.
Moreover, in his will, Vicente noted that if any member of the Swanns were to object to such a decision, they would be instantly disowned and kicked out of the family.
One had to know that every member of the Swanns was working in the Swann Corporation. They would have nothing left if they were kicked out of the Swanns.
Now, the guests present finally understood why Vicente ordered to announce his will in public. He was doing so to catch Korbin off guard.
Everyone knew Vicente was cunning. Even on his deathbed, he lived up to his reputation for making such a plan.
However, why was Catherine chosen to inherit the Swanns’ fortune? Wasn’t she the Swanns’ jinx?
As he looked at the girl, who remained calm, Leonel felt that it was the first time for him not to be able to read another person clearly.
However, none of these matter. Leonel’s professionalism urged him to fulfill his employer’s order.
He placed the will before Catherine and offered her a pen thoughtfully.
“Miss Swann, if you are okay with it, please sign your name on the will. Then, you may inherit the fortune of the Swanns.”
Catherine left Leonel’s hand, which was holding the pen up to her, in midair, and did not reach out to take the pen from him.
She pointed to a spot on the will and looked at Leonel with a frown. “What does that mean?”
Leonel answered his client’s question accurately.
“Miss Swann, this is the required condition for your inheritance. Vicente has arranged with Karl Duncan that the heirs of the two families will unite in marriage. The day of your marriage will be the day when this will take effect.”
The news left everyone present in shock!
Wasn’t the heir of the Duncans Branden Duncan?
The Duncans were the head of the three prominent families and the wealthiest family in Casier. It was a top family of the upper class, and Branden was the family’s sole heir.
What left the crowd in greater shock was Catherine’s answer.
“No!”
Catherine’s answer was neat and short. She turned down the astronomical inheritance without blinking.
Her answer left Leonel, standing on the stage, so embarrassed. It was the first time he saw someone unmoved by such extensive wealth.
He finally understood why Vicente asked to arrange what would happen next. It turned out that he had not lost his mind but was, in fact, planning ahead.
…
Catherine’s answer dumbfounded everyone. She actually rejected Branden.
He was the man of the dreams of all girls in Casier. How could she reject him?
How bold was she?
It happened that Branden was also here today. Everyone held their breath as they turned to look at Branden.
Even though gossiping about the Duncans was dangerous, they couldn’t refrain themselves.
Branden was sitting in the front row, wearing a fitted black suit with his collar slightly opened, showing his tanned skin underneath.
What would be most eye-catching about him would be his looks. His beautifully sculptured features could charm anyone.
And his deep eyes, despite looking indifferent, were so cold that one would not dare to look him in his eyes.
Everyone was waiting for this cruel heir of the Duncans to voice his opinion mercilessly.
To their surprise, besides having a change in expression, Branden only looked up lightly toward Catherine and made no other move.
As their eyes met, Catherine guessed who he was already.
But she was not interested!
Her cold eyes caught Branden’s attention!
Good. She was the first person to meet his gaze without cowering.
Interesting. He wanted to know what was so special about this heir of the Swanns that the old man had picked.
Under the pressure of the dispute and public opinion aroused, Leonel retrieved another material Vicente had left behind. “Miss Swann, Vicente had left this recording behind. He hopes that you will decide after listening to it!”
Catherine, who was going to leave immediately, reached out and popped the earbuds in her ears as she started listening to the recording.
As the recording was being played, Catherine’s brows became more knitted.
Eventually, she removed the earbuds and complained unhappily, “So troublesome!”
Then, she took the pen Leonel had just handed her and signed her name on the will.
When he saw her sign, Leonel heaved a silent sigh of relief.
Vicente was truly good at predicting the future.
After signing her name, Catherine was led away by Leonel to hand the will over to her.
The crowd was discussing loudly with one another, and the looks on the Swanns’ faces couldn’t be uglier.
Everyone was waiting to hear more about this drama!
Someone said, “How can a lone girl from the countryside be of match for the cunning members of the Swanns? Even if she gets the inheritance, Catherine wouldn’t be able to keep it!”
Someone refuted him immediately, “That might not be the case. If he would help her, she might be able to keep it.”
At his words, everyone turned to look at the man with such a powerful presence, and whose eyes nobody dared to look into, slowly.
It was clear that anything was possible.
