Easton stood tall, defiantly locking eyes with Ashton, who glared back, his anger so intense it seemed like he might rip out his oxygen tubes just to get at his son.
Out of his four boys, only Declan, the eldest, ever showed any real concern for Cassidy. He had a gentle nature, which was why Ashton hoped Declan would look after her.
"What did you do? Did you force Cassidy?" Ashton was practically shaking with emotion.
Easton met his gaze but stayed silent.
Cassidy had confided in Ashton that every time she made eye contact with Easton, she got super nervous and tried to avoid him at home.
Ashton couldn't believe Cassidy would go to Easton on her own, so he figured Easton must've forced her.
He never imagined his son would push around someone as fragile as Cassidy, especially since she was his wife.
Ashton's emotions were all over the place, and the machines in the room started blaring.
The doctor, who had been standing by, quickly stepped in to check on things. Easton took a step back, his face showing no emotion.
"Easton, what did you say to Dad?" Declan rushed in, demanding answers, but Easton just kept staring at Ashton, ignoring Declan.
In high society, it was customary for the head of each family to meet with a lawyer before passing away to make final decisions.
The doctor urgently addressed everyone in the room. "Mr. Ashton Cooper doesn't have much time left. Please notify the lawyer immediately."
Cassidy didn't know what was going on in the room, but she heard the machines and the doctor's words. Then she saw the lawyer, who had been waiting at the door, push it open and walk in.
Was something wrong with Ashton?
Cassidy instantly got nervous and wanted to check on him, but she locked eyes with Easton at the door. In that moment, she felt her heart skip a beat.
His usually cold eyes stared at her like a snake eyeing its prey, making her shiver with fear.
Cassidy hesitated under Easton's gaze, but she quickly pulled herself together and walked into the room.
Ashton, fighting through his discomfort, gave a few instructions to the lawyer. After getting a response, he looked at Cassidy, his pale lips trembling but unable to speak.
Cassidy immediately stepped forward and held Ashton's hand tightly. She wanted to say something, but as soon as she opened her mouth, she saw Ashton close his eyes, and the machines started blaring alarms, the heart monitor showing a flat line.
"Ashton!" Cassidy called out, tears streaming down her face, but this time no one was there to comfort her.
Ashton was gone. The doctor announced his death.
Even though she had tried to prepare herself, Cassidy still couldn't handle the harsh reality and sobbed by the bedside.
It wasn't until Ashton's body was taken away that Cassidy finally lifted her head. Everyone had followed Ashton's body out.
After what felt like an eternity and thinking everyone had left, Cassidy tried to stand up, but having squatted for too long, she felt dizzy and almost fell.
An arm reached out just in time to steady her; it was Declan. "Be careful," he said with a gentle smile and concern in his eyes, which made Cassidy feel a little better.
She softly thanked him and steadied herself, not noticing a pair of eyes watching her from the doorway.
Having just ensured Ashton's body was properly taken care of, Easton hurried back to the room, worried about the crying Cassidy. But when he arrived, he saw Declan reaching out to support her.
He stood at the door, watching their interaction, and let out a cold laugh. It seemed his stepmom didn't need him, at least not right now.
Ashton's funeral was a big deal, and his other two sons rushed back as soon as they heard the news.
At the funeral, the youngest, Owen Cooper, was a mess, crying his eyes out and regretting not getting back in time to see Ashton one last time.
Cassidy stood beside him, tears streaming down her face.
Ryder Cooper, who showed up last, wasn't really focused on his dead father. His eyes were locked on Easton.
On the way back, someone had already filled him in that Ashton had met with Declan and Easton before he died.
Ashton's condition had been stable, and Ryder was sure he'd be back before Ashton picked the next head of the family. But he didn't expect Ashton to die so suddenly while he was away.
Everyone in the Cooper family knew that Declan, who had been crippled in one leg since his teens, couldn't lead the family. So Ashton must've handed the reins over to Easton!
Meanwhile, Easton, who had been staring at Cassidy, felt Ryder's intense gaze and turned to meet his eyes.
In the Cooper family, there was no brotherly love, just schemes and power plays.
"Before I left, Dad was stable. Why did he suddenly die? Easton, did you do something to him to grab the head of the family title?" Ryder said bluntly.
Easton sneered, "Got any proof before you start pointing fingers? Maybe it was something you did before you left that caused Dad's death!"
Easton and Ryder had the most strained relationship in the family, always at each other's throats. It was no surprise they were still at it, even at Ashton's funeral.
Their words got nastier, and it looked like they might come to blows.
Declan, a bit angry, stepped in, "Cut it out! What are you even talking about?"
After Declan's interruption, the two just snorted and turned away from each other.
Declan then looked at Cassidy, who was crying her heart out. Concern etched on his face, he gently said, "Cassidy, don't be too sad."
Declan's words drew everyone's attention to Cassidy.
Ryder, staring at the almost fainting Cassidy, suddenly had a thought. "Where's Dad's will?" he asked sharply.
Everyone turned to Cassidy. As Ashton's wife, she was the only one who knew where the will was.
Cassidy, suddenly the center of attention, felt a bit nervous.
Ashton's sons weren't exactly kind-hearted. Growing up in a ruthless Mafia family, each of them had blood on their hands. And now, they all stared at her like wolves eyeing their prey.
Cassidy clenched her fists, trying to calm herself down. She pulled herself together, remembering Ashton's words before he died. He said after his death, his lawyer and trusted aides would follow her every command.
Still deep in grief over Ashton's death, Cassidy didn't have the energy to deal with the Cooper men, who only cared about the inheritance and the head of the family title.
She called the lawyer over. "Please explain Ashton's will to them in detail."
The lawyer nodded and then began to explain with a serious demeanor.
Ashton had entrusted the lawyer with the distribution of his multi-billion-dollar estate. The fact that the lawyer now took orders from Cassidy indicated that Ashton had granted her significant authority." According to Mr. Ashton Cooper's will," the lawyer continued, "Mrs. Cooper will temporarily assume the position of head of the family, and a new head will be elected in six months. The head of the family will be decided by a vote from within the family, with Mrs. Cooper having five votes. The one with the most votes will become the head of the family."