Chapter 314
Chapter 314
Maya's eyes flashed as she keenly sensed something fishy was going on here.
Atticus didn't care about any of that. He glared and snapped:
"What, are you saying my dad's situation is somehow our fault? We spent so much money staying in the hospital. You guys clearly didn't take good care of the patient, and now you have the nerve to blame us?"
"Now my dad is dead! Do you understand? He's dead! I don't have a father anymore!"
Atticus practically shouted that last sentence.
Anyone hearing his voice would think he was truly a devoted son.
But Maya, standing right beside him, could clearly see the greed in his eyes.
Aurelia took over at just the right moment.
Her eyes were also red-rimmed as she looked sadly at the doctor and asked in a soft voice:
"Doctor, before Elijah died, did he leave any last words?"
Aurelia's voice was very soft, but at this moment everyone present held their breath in unison.
What last words was she asking about?
She was clearly asking about future wealth and fortune!
These illegitimate children and mistresses had all been living off the money Elijah gave them.
Now that Elijah was gone, if all the assets were inherited by Maya, they definitely wouldn't get a penny!
The doctor's gaze swept over everyone present before he nodded lightly:
"The deceased said he had already made a will, and the rest will be handled by the lawyer he arranged."
After speaking, a gurney covered with a white sheet was wheeled out from the emergency room.
Everyone stared at Elijah's body for quite a while, but not a single person stepped forward.
If Elijah were still alive, going up to put on a show would still be useful.
But now that he was gone, what was the point?
Kinsley squeezed out from the crowd, her face deathly pale as she stopped beside the body.
Her lips moved but she couldn't speak, and tears fell uncontrollably.
Maya sighed inwardly, forcing herself to gather her spirits.
What came next would be the real battle.
Half an hour later, Elijah's appointed lawyer arrived.
He wore a dark black suit and glasses, scanning everyone present one by one.
Elijah was temporarily placed in the morgue, and now everyone was sitting in a villa belonging to one of Elijah's mistresses.
"Elijah arranged all affairs before his death. Since everyone is here, I will now read the contents of the will."
The lawyer's words made everyone present hold their breath.
Kinsley instinctively grabbed Maya's arm, her hand trembling uncontrollably.
Maya patted Kinsley's hand reassuringly and looked up at the lawyer.
The lawyer opened the document and read word by word.
The first part was about the distribution of properties and assets.
Basically, each of Elijah's mistresses received a house and a sum of money.
But the most important part related to shares had not been mentioned yet.
Time passed minute by minute.
Soon, only Maya and Atticus's portions remained unread.
Similarly, how the Coleman Corporation shares would be distributed was still unknown.
Atticus wore an "I knew it" expression, looking at Maya provocatively.
Maya kept her eyes lowered, her long, curled eyelashes hiding her emotions, making them impossible to read.
Kinsley sat beside her, nervously clutching her clothes, while Aurelia sat dignified and elegant, acting completely like the legitimate wife.
"...The shares of Coleman Corporation will be inherited eighty percent by Atticus and twenty percent by Maya."
As soon as the lawyer said this, Atticus immediately stood up and laughed out loud:
"I knew it would be like this! Maya, what do you have to compete with me? I'm Dad's favorite son!"
Atticus stared at Maya provocatively, his expression full of mockery:
"But I think you should be content. After all, Dad still left you twenty percent. With dividend income from the shares, you'll be set for life."
Kinsley's face was deathly pale, her body swaying uncontrollably, looking like she was about to faint.
Maya's expression remained calm, as if she had long expected this outcome.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have been so eager to arrange a marriage engagement.
Though she was reluctant to admit it, Maya had also come to terms with one thing.
She had just returned to the country and indeed didn't have enough resources to fight for inheritance rights.
"Why aren't you saying anything?"
Atticus didn't see Maya's devastated expression and was quite dissatisfied.
He leaned forward a bit, his face wearing an obviously smug smile.
"Don't tell me you can't accept this result and you've shut down?"
"I told you long ago, you're no match for me at all. Dad's favorite child is me. I'm the one who's always been by Dad's side, showing concern for him, caring about his health. It's only natural that the inheritance goes to me."
"But you should also be grateful you're Dad's child, otherwise you probably wouldn't even get these twenty percent of shares."
The more Atticus spoke, the more pleased he became. Looking at him, he seemed ready to grab a megaphone and announce it to the whole world.
Aurelia also gently reminded him at this moment:
"Atticus, don't be like this. Your father was willing to give you the company because he has high hopes for you, believing you definitely have the ability to take Coleman Corporation even further."
She paused, her tone tinged with pride:
"If you ask me, men just naturally have more talent in finance. Ms. Coleman, you studied abroad for so many years, but in the end, you still can't compare to Atticus, right?"
At this point, Aurelia's smile grew even more proud.
"But we're not petty people. In the future, you can also work at Coleman Corporation. After all, you have shares too, so you'll definitely be dedicated and responsible."
Although the others didn't get shares, they were all watching the drama with interest.
After all, they knew their place. They could see who Elijah liked.
But Elijah was still very generous.
As long as they didn't squander it, the money Elijah left behind was basically enough for them to live out their lives.
Kinsley's expression at this moment could no longer be described as just difficult.
Her face was deathly pale, and she opened her mouth but couldn't speak.
"You all seem very pleased with yourselves."
Maya finally spoke up.
Her tone was unhurried, completely unaffected by Atticus's words.
"What else? Should we let you be pleased?"
Atticus curled his lips, his gaze full of disdain and sarcasm:
"The will has already been read. Now I'm the person with the most shares in Coleman Corporation, and I'll be Coleman Corporation's CEO from now on!"
Maya looked at Atticus like she was looking at an idiot.
Even now, she couldn't understand why Elijah would hand the company over to such a fool.
"How could a family meeting be without me?"
Just then, a casual voice rang out.
Maya looked up, and the moment she saw who it was, a genuine smile appeared on her delicate face.
She walked forward and naturally linked her arm through the person's:
"You're way too slow. I've been waiting for you forever."
Richard raised an eyebrow and leaned down to whisper in Maya's ear:
"You didn't say it was today. I was drinking at a bar when your assistant urgently called me here."