The lawyer's words hung in the air, and everyone turned to look at Cassidy.
With her head down, Cassidy occasionally wiped her face, embodying the grieving widow. She could feel their stares but didn't look up.
Easton stared at her, a cold smile playing on his lips.
Declan sighed, like he knew Ashton would pull something like this.
Ryder glanced at Cassidy, then looked away, already plotting her demise.
Only Owen wiped his tears, not reacting to this part of the will.
The lawyer kept talking, but no one heard anything they cared about, and their faces grew darker.
"Finally, all of Mr. Ashton Cooper's personal property will go to Ms. Cassidy Monroe," the lawyer announced.
"I disagree!" Ryder shouted, pointing at Cassidy with murder in his eyes. "Father must've lost his mind, leaving everything to Cassidy? She can't even shoot! How's she supposed to protect the family? And giving her all his personal property? No way!"
Easton chimed in, "I disagree too."
Cassidy looked up and met Easton's icy gaze.
These guys had been waiting to take over after Ashton died, and now the job was going to her, a woman they saw as weak. No wonder they were pissed.
Cassidy knew holding onto the head of the family would be tough, but she also knew Ashton had set this up for her. She had to grab this chance and use everything Ashton left her to survive. Clenching her fists, she waited for the others to speak up.
Owen stood up, hearing his brothers' objections. "This is Father's will. Are you two going against his wishes?"
Easton glared at Owen, making him step back, but Owen stood his ground. "If this is Father's will, then Cassidy being head of the family is only right!"
Ryder cursed, "Shut up! You have no say here! This will is a joke!"
Declan stepped in to stop the arguing. "We should respect Father's wishes. Besides, Cassidy's only head for six months. It's a test for all of us. I think Father's plan makes sense."
"That's crap! I doubt this will is even real!" Ryder yelled, ready to attack Cassidy, but the others held him back.
"Enough!" Cassidy stood up and slapped him.
Everyone froze. Their timid stepmother, who used to freak out just seeing someone kill a bird, had just slapped Ryder.
Ryder trembled with rage. Cassidy, the weakling, had slapped him in public! It was humiliating! He had to kill her!
Cassidy, like a fierce she-wolf, glared at Ryder. "This is Ashton's funeral. You better start learning some manners now. If that slap didn't wake you up, I don't mind having someone drag you out of Cooper Manor."
Ryder gritted his teeth, almost lunging at her, but the lawyer stepped in front of Cassidy. "Mr. Ryder Cooper, rest assured, this will is indeed left by Mr. Ashton Cooper."
With Ashton's will and the backing of Declan and Owen, Ryder and Easton's opposition was pointless. Under their cold stares, Cassidy still took the position of head of the family.
Now that Cassidy was head of the family, even if just temporarily, everyone in the Mafia organization and the family treated her with newfound respect.
When she was Ashton's wife, she was respected, but it was different. Back then, it was because of Ashton. Now, it was because she held power.
She had to admit, the feeling of holding power was intoxicating.
After a bath, Cassidy stood on the balcony, holding a glass of red wine. The wind blew through her hair, revealing her glossy skin.
She had thought Ashton's arrangement would let her leave the Cooper family and live a quiet life in the countryside. She never expected Ashton to make her head of the family, even temporarily.
Cassidy knew she was just a target. The head of the family title wouldn't protect her for long, but it gave her six months to grow and learn to protect herself within the Cooper family. The choice to stay or leave was also part of Ashton's plan. He treated her better than she ever imagined.
Cassidy recalled her early days in the Cooper family. Many people were unhappy and made things difficult for her. Every time, Ashton would step in, making it clear she was his wife and under his protection.
"Live well, Cassidy." Ashton's last words echoed in her mind, bringing tears to her eyes.
She would live well, no matter what came her way.
She still remembered the looks Easton and Ryder gave her when the lawyer announced she would temporarily be head of the family. Just thinking about their predatory stares made her shiver.
Cassidy was sure Easton and Ryder would target her. She had no doubt they were already planning assassination attempts. She had to be very careful to avoid all dangers and keep everything Ashton had left for her.
Lost in thought, Cassidy gently swirled the wine in her glass. Just as she was about to take a sip, she felt a cold presence behind her.
Cassidy instinctively tensed up, ready to run, but the next second, she was pulled into someone's arms.
The wine glass in her hand shook violently, spilling wine onto her chest. The glass fell, shattering on the ground.
The body behind her was warm, but Cassidy trembled as soon as she was in his arms.
"Mrs. Cooper, my stepmother, are you happy now that you've taken the head of the family and are enjoying everyone's respect?" Easton's voice came through from behind.
Cassidy's heart nearly stopped at the sound of his familiar voice. Why was he in her room? When did he come in? She hadn't heard a thing!