All the attention was focused on me. Inhaling, I asked the question that begged an answer. “Why me? Stanton is the oldest.”
“You’re the one he designated. However, it does come with one caveat. You have to be married in order to inherit.”
The breath I’d been holding eased out as I smiled in relief. “As you can see, I’m very single and intend to remain that way. Therefore, it has to pass to Stanton.”
“Tristian, you don’t understand. If you don’t inherit, the entire estate will be donated to a charity your father designated and no one in the family will benefit.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
My sister stood and shouted, “How absurd. Why would Dad do such a crazy thing?”
Sherman spread his hands. “I don’t know. I did my best to change his mind, but he insisted upon it.”
I fumed. It made no sense at all. “One, I’m not the oldest, and two, I haven’t been around here in years.”
Sherman leaned forward and said, “It doesn’t matter. As I said, your father insisted upon this. Your brother is still in the hospital, but when he’s released, you’ll want to discuss it with him. He may know more of the why behind it.”
Mother added her two cents. “He doesn’t. Stanton was reckless with his investments. That’s why, Tristian. You demonstrated an ability to build your own business that no one else in this family has, and that’s why your father chose you.”
“I don’t want it.”
Sherman shuffled the stack of papers and placed them neatly into a folder. “It’s not about what you want. It’s about what is.”
“I’ll pass it on to one of my siblings.”
“Impossible. The only place it will pass is to a charity,” Sherman repeated. “You also have to approve all financial transactions, including handling the trust of all the trustees.”
“Fuck that. I walked away and was disowned. I want it to remain that way.”
“Tristian, your father made it plain and clear. It is what it is, as they say.”
My little brother laughed and my sister scowled. The first thing I’d do was put her ass to work.
“Fine.” My finger aimed at her. “You are going to get a job.”
“A job?”
“I take it you know what that is?”
“Ha ha. You’re so funny.”
“No, I’m not. I’m serious. You always spent money like a human drinks water. From now on you’re going to earn it and stop sucking the life out of everyone.”
“You can’t make me.” She flapped a hand, dismissing me.
“Oh, I can now.”
“Tristian, the mighty photo-snapper. Will I be developing pictures for you?” Her question was followed by a scornful laugh. Then she attempted to stare me down. It didn’t work.
“We don’t do that much anymore in the digital age.” I left off the word ‘moron,’ but she got my gist. “The job is up to you. I’ll give you a few weeks. And then I’ll start charging you rent if you continue living here.”
She gave a quick snort. But I knew I’d hit the mark from the slight muscle jumping in her cheek. Ravina had always been an easy read.
“Really? Rent?”
“Ravina, you’ve lived here scot-free and haven’t worked a lick in your entire life. It’s high time you did something about it.” I nodded to my mother, then shook my little brother’s hand and said, “Keep up the good work.” Without another word, I left and went home. My phone blew up with texts and calls, only I ignored them. It was overload and I wasn’t sure what I would do.
Chapter Ten
English
Easton stood by the door as Stacey staggered her way over. I ran to intervene while Dad remarked, “This is going to be interesting.”
I shot him an evil glare but didn’t have time for it to have much of an impact.
“What do you want?” Stacey asked Stuart. “Didn’t you do enough damage all those years ago?”
Easton stared at the two of them, so I picked her up and handed her off to Dad.
“Mommy, why is Aunt Stacey Bear being so mean?”
“Um, I’ll explain later.” Then I dashed back to the fight that brewed at the door. By this time, Stacey had grabbed Stuart’s lapel and stood on her tiptoes.
“You were an asshole then and I’m pretty sure you’re still one. A leopard doesn’t lose its stripes.”
For the love of God, couldn’t she at least get her animals right? “Um, Stacey, can I handle this?” I moved to step between them.
“Hell, no. If you had done it properly way back when, this dickhead wouldn’t be standing in your doorway.”
The dickhead finally spoke. “May I say something?”
“No! You lost that right…” She looked up at the ceiling and counted on her fingers. “Six and a half years ago. Maybe longer. I can’t remember. Anyway, you can’t say a word.” She punctuated it with her finger in his chest.
“Stacey, this isn’t your decision, it’s English’s.”
“I’m her counsel right now, so it is mine.”
I might have failed to mention that Stacey was an attorney. She’d recently graduated from law school and was working in a firm doing odds and ends, and not loving it.
Inching my way between the two of them, I said, “All right, let’s all calm down. First, how did you find me, Stuart? I don’t remember giving you my address.”
“No, I had the firm run a background check on you and found it that way.”
“How nice,” I answered sourly.
“I’m sorry, but with the way the lunch ended yesterday, I felt the need to apologize and wanted to see how Easton was feeling.”
“Harrumph. You weren’t much use, that’s for sure. She’s much better today, thanks, after having her appendix out last night.”
The man actually paled. “Her appendix? Wow.”
Stacey laughed. “Look at that. The man’s showing some emotion.”
“Don’t be an ass, Stacey,” he said.
She reached past me and poked him in the chest again. “No, that’s your department. Besides, you started it. Pretty sure it’s your first name.”
“Stop it, you two. We’re not in junior high.” I glowered at both of them. “Stuart, you should’ve called before stopping by. Impromptu visits aren’t my thing, especially with curious you-know-who around.”
“Who?” Stacey asked. I did an eye-roll, thinking that those cosmos were a huge mistake as I was now dealing with a buffoon.
“Besides, now I have to rethink my position,” I added.
“Wait. I apologize for the visit, but I thought it would kill two birds with one stone.”
“Sorry, it only made it worse.”
He held up his hands. “Fine. I’ll leave. But know this. I’m not going to give up. I want to see my daughter.” He stomped away in anger. It left a rotten feeling in the pit of my stomach.
After the door was closed, I turned to see three sets of curious eyes on me.