Haley B came forward with staggering steps. It appeared she was drunk. Elsa's associate approached her and handed over a velvet-lined box.
Haley snatched the gift roughly and opened it. She stared at the ornament for several seconds. "Where is the seventh gem? There are only six here."
"Since Mr. Damone was carrying it on his person during the terrorist attack, it is possible one of the gems was destroyed."
Haley scoffed and walked away, settling on a couch with a glass of scotch. She seemed determined to drown her sorrows in liquor.
Elsa waited for a moment before resuming the reading of Victor's will. "To Claire Holt, I trust the Chairperson position of the Springfield Rapids Project. Moving forward, her decisions will be law as far as the project is concerned."
Audible gasps and grumbling protests broke out in the crowd.
Claire dabbed her eyes with a tissue and stepped forward. "I accept the position."
"How could Victor give away the top post to Claire when there are many senior businessmen in the running?" Gregory Ribald, one of the Triumvirate, exclaimed. "She's just a little girl!"
"We don't agree to be led by a woman," Dale Johnson, another Triumvirate member, joined in. "Let us challenge this in court!"
Several other major stakeholders began complaining about Victor's decision.
"Silence!" Clive Baron thundered. "Anybody who will disrespect Mr. Damone's last wish will have declared himself my sworn enemy! I will make it my life's goal to destroy them! So make the choice wisely!"
Clive's outburst immediately silenced the crowd. Nobody wanted to be targeted by the most powerful man in Springfield.
Elsa figured there were no further protests from the invitees. "Alright. The final bequeathment is for Miss Carol Atelier."
Carol looked up in surprise.
Josh, Martha, and Josh bit their lips in anticipation. Earlier, their daughter had narrated a vague tale of her betraying Victor in a confidential matter. Naturally, it was expected he wouldn't leave behind anything substantial for her.
"I give her… A hundred million dollars, a new villa in Prince County, and two luxury cars of her choice."
The Ateliers squealed and hugged each other in celebration while Carol's jaw dropped in shock. Why did Victor pass on a hundred million with gifts? Didn't he despise her after the treachery she carried out?
Carol stepped forward with a determined expression. "I respect Victor's wishes but wish to forward his bequeathments to his grandfather. I don't deserve them."
Martha gasped and tugged at Carol's sleeve. Ronald and Josh began whispering protests into her ear.
"Honey, have you lost your mind?"
"What are you doing, sis? Who says no to a hundred million dollars and luxury cars?"
"We are bankrupt and will soon be homeless!"
Elsa Madison raised an eyebrow. "I'm afraid I cannot do that legally. If you reject Mr. Damone's gifts, they will be transferred to the federal government."
Carol frowned at the female attorney. "But… That's not fair..."
Before Elsa could respond, Martha brushed against her daughter and emerged from the crowd. "Actually, we reject the gifts. And we'll fight you in court to protest and invalidate Victor's will!"
Carol looked at her mother with teary eyes. She couldn't believe Martha was rejecting millions of dollars to support her daughter.
The female attorney rolled her eyes. "Mr. Damone's will is legally sound, and there are no grounds to contest its clauses. But you are free to waste your time and resources in the court. It would be better to accept the hundred million and perhaps donate the amount later if you don't want to spend it."
Martha puffed up her chest and shook her head. "You are mistaken. We have no issues with individual clauses. Our claim is that Victor Damone's will is invalid. The entirety of his wealth and properties belongs to our daughter, Carol Atelier!"
"What are you talking about?" Elsa asked in confusion. "This is not the place or time for blabbering nonsense!"
The Atelier woman was adamant. "Miss Madison. You need to revisit your law books. Aren't you aware that under state law, the legal wife of a deceased individual under the age of thirty is entitled to all his wealth regardless of any wills?"
A flash of irritation passed Elsa's face, and she waved a dismissive hand.
"How dare you question my legal knowledge! I am aware of the state law you are referring to. It is only valid if the couple has a child between them. Therefore, the law is not applicable in this case! Furthermore, Mr. Damone and Miss Atelier are divorced. Stop wasting everyone's time!"
Martha smirked widely, showing her pearly whites. "Victor and Carol are divorced indeed. However, that doesn't mean they don't have a child between them."
"What are you trying to say, Mrs. Atelier?" Elsa demanded, unable to believe the grinning woman's words.
Martha stepped forward towards Carol and placed a hand lightly over her abdomen.
"I am saying… My daughter is pregnant with Victor's child!"