Chapter 6 - The Reading of the True Will
Three days later, the Vance Tower boardroom in downtown Manhattan was completely silent.
Outside the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, the morning sun reflected off the Hudson River, casting long, clean rays of light across the polished oak conference table. The room was packed with the family’s top corporate attorneys, board members, forensic auditors, and federal investigators.
Nico sat at the head of the table. He wore a crisp, tailored charcoal suit, his face calm and commanding. To his right sat Rafe, looking sharp and rested, and to his left sat Vivia. She was dressed in a simple, elegant dark blue dress, though her hands still trembled slightly as she held a glass of water.
At the opposite end of the table stood Harold Sterling, Arthur Vance’s personal attorney and lifelong friend for over forty years.
Sterling placed a thick, wax-sealed leather portfolio onto the table, adjusting his silver-rimmed glasses.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the board," Sterling began, his deep voice carrying absolute authority. "Following the arrest and formal indictment of Marcella Vance on charges of premeditated murder and grand larceny, the temporary power of attorney she filed last month has been declared null and void by the Supreme Court of New York."
A collective murmur went through the board members, several of whom shifted uncomfortably in their leather chairs, dreading what was coming next.
"Furthermore," Sterling continued, opening the wax seal, "we have verified the authentic last will and testament of Arthur Vance, retrieved directly from the encrypted master drive hidden within his late wife’s vintage gown—the only document legally authenticated with Arthur's private biometric key prior to his death."
Sterling cleared his throat and looked directly at the three siblings.
"To my son, Rafe Vance: I leave full ownership and executive control of Vance Aerospace and our global logistics division, along with a fifteen percent voting stake in the holding corporation, knowing his sharp mind and unwavering loyalty will guide it with integrity."
Rafe let out a quiet breath, a faint, proud smile touching his lips as he nodded.
"To my daughter, Marcella Vance..." Sterling paused, looking up at the room. "The will explicitly states: 'Should Marcella ever attempt to challenge my final wishes or harm this family, her entire trust fund, equity holdings, and real estate assets shall be permanently revoked and transferred to the State Victims of Domestic Crime Fund.' As of this morning, that transfer has been executed. Marcella Vance is legally penniless."
Not a single board member dared to speak.
Sterling turned the final page of the document, his eyes softening as he looked directly at Vivia.
"And finally, to my youngest daughter, Vivia Vance: I leave forty-nine percent of the core voting shares of Vance Global Enterprises, the entire residential estate in the Hamptons, and the Vance Charitable Foundation, which holds over two billion dollars in endowment funds. Arthur writes: 'Vivia carries the pure heart her mother gave her. She was the only one who loved me for who I was, not for the name on the door.'"
Tears welled up in Vivia’s eyes. She looked down at her hands, overwhelmed by the magnitude of her father's love and the realization that she would never have to run or hide again. Nico reached over, placing his hand over hers with a warm, reassuring squeeze.
"And to my eldest son, Nico Vance," Sterling concluded, closing the folder with a sharp snap. "Arthur leaves the remaining fifty-one percent controlling majority, appointing him Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the entire Vance empire with absolute veto power over the board of directors."
Sterling looked up at Nico and gave a respectful nod. "The floor is yours, Mr. Chairman."
Nico stood up slowly, commanding the attention of every single person in the room. His amber eyes swept across the row of terrified board members who had backed Marcella just days ago.
"Starting today," Nico said, his voice ringing with cold, absolute authority, "this company answers to two people: myself and Vivia. Every executive who signed off on Marcella’s illegal transfers without verifying Dad’s signature has two hours to submit their resignation to my desk."
He placed his hands on the table, leaning forward slightly.
"If your resignation isn't on my desk by noon, forensic auditors will go through every single expense report and bank account you’ve touched in the last ten years, and you will share a cell block with my sister. Meeting adjourned."
Without waiting for a response, Nico turned and walked toward the private corner office, with Rafe and Vivia walking proudly by his side.
Inside the spacious office, Vivia walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking out over the sprawling city below.
"Nico?" she asked softly.
Nico walked up beside her, looking down at his younger sister. "Yeah, Viv?"
"Do you think Mom and Dad are finally at peace?"
May you like
Nico looked out at the bright morning sky, the heavy burden that had weighed on his chest for months finally lifting away. He placed an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close.
"They are, Vivia," Nico said with a genuine, rare smile. "And for the first time in our lives, so are we."
