The grand study of the Lancaster mansion was packed. Mahogany bookshelves lined the walls, filled with expensive first editions no one had probably ever read. A massive chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a dim golden light over the long table where the Lancaster family sat, waiting.
Kael leaned back in his chair, arms crossed.
This wasn't a family mourning a loss.
This was a pack of wolves waiting to see who would get the biggest piece of the kill.
Daniel Saito, the family lawyer, adjusted his tie and said,
"As per the last will and testament of Theodore Lancaster, the distribution of assets will now be read."
The room went dead silent.
Kael could practically feel the greed radiating from his relatives.
Damian, his eldest uncle, sat at the head of the table, his fingers drumming against the polished wood. His son, Eric, smirked slightly, already assuming his father would walk away with the lion's share.
Raymond, the younger uncle, looked more composed, but there was a sharpness in his eyes. His daughter, Vanessa, still hadn't looked up from her phone.
And then there was Aunt Eleanor, poised and elegant as always. Her husband, Charles, sat beside her, looking bored.
Kael exhaled slowly.
This was it.
This was the moment that would decide everything.
Daniel continued, his voice steady.
"As per Mr. Lancaster's instructions, 91% of his wealth has been donated to various charities and organizations."
"What?!" Damian's chair scraped loudly against the floor as he shot up. "That's impossible! That money belongs to the family!"
Raymond's fingers twitched.
Eleanor's perfect expression cracked for just a second. Even Eric lost his smirk.
Kael?
He just sat there. Stunned.
Not because he was angry—but because he never saw it coming.
He had expected a fight over the inheritance. Expected his relatives to claw at each other over who got the biggest share. But this?
This was different.
Daniel barely reacted to the outburst. He simply turned the page and continued reading.
"The remaining 9% will be divided equally among his three children: Damian Lancaster, Raymond Lancaster, and Eleanor."
Kael's fingers clenched. So that was it. The old man had given nearly everything away—and what little was left went to the very people who'd abandoned him.
Two years Kael had spent in this house.
Two years taking care of a man he barely knew.
And in the end?
Nothing.
Not a damn cent.
"This is ridiculous," Damian snapped. "There has to be a mistake. My father wouldn't—"
"This was his final decision," Daniel said, adjusting his glasses. "Documented, witnessed, and notarized."
Eleanor sighed, smoothing her skirt. "And what about Kael?"
For the first time, every head in the room turned to him.
Kael forced himself to stay relaxed, even as his gut twisted.
"He receives nothing," Daniel said simply.
Silence.
Not even a gasp. Just the sound of Eric's quiet snicker.
Kael didn't move. Didn't blink.
Kael had never expected much. He knew his grandfather had been a cold, ruthless man. But after everything—after taking care of him, staying by his side, being the only one who actually spent time with him in his final years—
Nothing?
Not even an acknowledgment?
Damian turned to Daniel. "This isn't over. We'll fight this in court."
"You're free to try," Daniel replied smoothly. "But the will is legally airtight."
Eleanor sighed, rubbing her temples. "This is ridiculous. I came all the way here for 1%?" She stood up, grabbing her purse. "Charles, we're leaving."
Kael barely heard them as they began filing out—one by one.
Eric lingered, grinning as he leaned toward him. "Well. That's embarrassing," he said, shaking his head. "Two years playing nurse to a dying old man, and you walk away with nothing?"
Vanessa finally looked up from her phone, raising an eyebrow. "That's kinda rough."
"No," Eric said, grinning. "That's hilarious."
"Kinda embarrassing, honestly. Well, it's not like you were really part of the family anyway."
Kael had stayed silent, his jaw clenched so tight it hurt.
And then, just like that, they left too—laughing as they walked down the marble hallway.
Kael exhaled sharply, rage boiling just beneath the surface.
Then he turned—to the only person still in the room.
Daniel Saito, the family lawyer, stood calmly near the massive oak desk, watching Kael with unreadable eyes. His dark hair was neatly styled, his glasses perfectly adjusted. If he had any thoughts about what had just happened, his face didn't show it.
"I assume you have questions."
"Yeah. Just one."
Daniel tilted his head slightly. "Go on."
"Why?" Kael's voice was low but steady. "Why would he give me nothing? Why did my grandfather give me nothing? I took care of him for two years. I was the only one here when he was dying. And I get nothing?" His voice was sharp, edged with anger he could no longer contain. "Meanwhile, my uncles and aunt—who never gave a damn about him—get their little percentages just so they don't complain?"
Daniel didn't answer right away. Instead, he calmly removed his glasses, wiped them with a cloth, and placed them back on his face. Then, he pulled out a thick, cream-colored envelope from the file and a pen drive from his pocket and handed it to Kael.
"Your grandfather left this for you."
Kael stared at it, his heart pounding. "What is it?"
Daniel's lips twitched, the closest thing to a smile Kael had ever seen on the man. "Why don't you open it and find out?"
Kael hesitated, then snatched the envelope from his hand. His name was written on the front in sharp, precise handwriting.
He swallowed hard.
Daniel stepped back, adjusting his tie. "There's also a video message for you. You'll want to watch it."
Kael narrowed his eyes. "And you're just telling me this now?"
Daniel shrugged. "I was waiting for the right moment."
Kael let out a bitter laugh. "Right. Because watching my cousins mock me was such a great setup."
Daniel didn't react. "I suggest you take some time to yourself before you watchit." He glanced around the room, then added, "You don't have much time left here. The mansion now belongs to your aunt. You'll need to pack your things and leave by tonight."
Kael's jaw tightened. Of course.
The humiliation wasn't over yet.
He stuffed the envelope into his pocket and turned toward the door.
He thought there was nothing for him. Turns out, the old bastard had saved the most important words for last.