I sat in the spotless house, a familiar ache spreading through my chest.
My uncle and my mother had been twins. When I was two, a car accident stole both my parents in a single night.
The siblings had always been close. My uncle could never bring himself to sell this place. He came often to clean it himself, saying he could still see traces of my mother here—in the kitchen where she'd cooked, in the garden she'd tended.
He'd never married. He raised me instead, becoming both father and mother, giving me everything he had.
So why—why—would he leave his fortune to a stranger?
I couldn't accept it. I watched the will video over and over, convinced something was wrong.
My hand froze on the mouse. My pupils contracted.
There.
George Acevedo wasn't in the video.
Great-Uncle George was the most respected elder in my mother's family. My uncle had been explicit: a will was only valid if George witnessed it in person.
I scrambled to find the video of my uncle's first will—the one leaving everything to me.
George was right there, clear as day.
I shot to my feet, heart pounding. I was going to expose Russ Finch for what he really was.
I drove back to the villa and slammed through the front gate, ready to storm inside—but Butler Lambert blocked my path.
"Young Master Abbott." His voice was ice. "This is no longer your home. If you cause another disturbance, I'll call the police."
This was the same man who'd fussed over me for years, who'd snuck me extra desserts and asked if I was sleeping enough. Now he looked at me like I was a trespasser.
The rejection stung more than I wanted to admit.
"I need to see Russ Finch," I said, forcing my voice steady. "Let me in."
"Mr. Finch has retired for the evening. Come back tomorrow."
I checked my phone. Just past eight.
The man's nightlife hadn't even begun, and he was already asleep? What kind of young person kept the same hours as my elderly uncle?
I didn't leave.
I stood outside the gate all night.
At seven the next morning, Russ Finch emerged in my uncle's Maybach. I stepped directly into its path.
"Russ Finch." My voice rang out in the cold morning air. "I can prove you're not the legal heir. You're coming with me to see my great-uncle. Now."
Finch studied me, something unreadable flickering behind his eyes. Then, unexpectedly, he nodded.
"Alright." A half-smile curved his lips. "I'm curious to see what proof you think you have."
The moment we arrived at George's house, the words tumbled out of me.
"Great-Uncle George, do you know my uncle left everything to this man?" I jabbed a finger at Finch. "You're not in the will video. Tell me the truth—he forged it, didn't he? He coerced my uncle into this. That's what happened, isn't it?"
George stared at me, genuine confusion creasing his weathered face.
"I know about the will, Simon. Your uncle told me himself." He shifted in his chair, wincing. "I was supposed to be there as witness, but I got into an accident on the way. Broke my leg—see?"
I looked down. Bandages wrapped his leg from knee to ankle.
"I recorded a video testimony before my surgery," he continued. "Confirming the will's validity. They didn't show you?"
He pulled out his phone and handed it to me.
The video was short. But George's words were unmistakable: the new will was real, made of my uncle's own free choice.
I stood there, paralyzed.
My gaze swung between George and Finch.
Had Finch bought him off?
The accusation left my mouth before I could stop it.
"Great-Uncle George, did he pay you? How much did it take? How could you do this to my uncle? How could you betray my parents?"
George's expression hardened, all warmth draining from his face.
"Simon." His voice dropped, sharp as a blade. "What nonsense are you spouting? I met Mr. Finch for the first time today. I'm an old man—what would I do with his money? This was your uncle's decision. His choice."
"No!" The word tore out of me. "My uncle would never abandon me!"
I spun and seized Finch by the collar, hauling him close, glaring into his face from inches away.
"Who the hell are you?" I snarled. "Why would my uncle willingly give you everything? Tell me—what did you use to threaten a dying man into signing away his legacy?"
