"First," he said, stopping her before she got too far, "I need to know why you are taking me on as a client. I contacted a few offices, and they told me no flat out."
"Truthfully, I don't like bullies and fraud. I can assume other law firms wanted to take your case, but seeing the names Hamilin and Casey scared them off. But unlike them, I'm ready for whatever they might throw at me. I'm even more annoyed that someone lied to you. "
"What do you mean?"
"Come with me." She guided him to her office and moved to her desk. She picked up a stack of papers and handed them to Des. "These are only copies, but we hope to get the original soon."
Des furrowed his brows as he took the documents, setting his helmet down, and his eyes widened when he saw the title: Last Will and Testament.It can't be!Quickly scanning the paperwork, he saw his grandfather's name, and then it was as if his heart had stopped when he read more.
To my grandson, Desmond Ellington, I want you to follow your dreams, child. Go after what you desire, no matter who tries to step in your way. Des, I know you're scared, and you will listen to your parents because they are your parents, but do not give up. I believe in you, so to get started, I leave you thirty million dollars and the deed to the building at 134 Eastside Avenue.Des gasped when he saw the address.
His hands shook as he read the address at least three times. He felt like he couldn't breathe, and his eyes clouded with tears.He didn't betray me. His legs gave out, and he fell to his knees as tears streamed down his cheeks.My grandfather didn't turn his back on me.He thought back to the happiest moments with Sebastian and the regret that, for so long, he had blamed the man for not looking out for him in the end.
He knew his thinking sounded like a spoiled brat, but besides Nanny Cee, his grandfather was the only one who looked out for him while his parents ganged up on him. Des wasn't sure how long he knelt there and cried, but he knew it was also the first time he had shed tears since his grandfather's death. He was also grateful that Erin hadn't interrupted him. Taking a deep breath, he stood, took the tissue offered to him, and dried his eyes.No more crying or wallowing in self-pity. It’s time to fight, Des.
"What's the plan?" he asked.
"I take it you're ready to fight? Fraud cases like yours are easy to win with the right amount of evidence."
"Yes," he growled. "Other than getting the original will, what else do we need as proof?"
She sighed. "I need to know a couple of things. Who was at the will reading?"
"My parents." He froze as he said the word, realizing the most pivotal thing. They knew what the will said all this fucking time. "Erin, thank you for this. I'll call you in a couple of days, but I need to take care of something. Trust me; I'm not backing out of this." Folding the documents, he stuffed them in his inner jacket pocket.
"Wait, Des. What are you going to do?" she stopped him, looking at him with worry.
"Something I should have done years ago." Des grabbed his helmet and hurried out the door. He was speeding across town in less than five minutes to his parents' place. He didn't know if they were home, but he didn't care. Des wasn't going to back down from this. Pulling up at the front of his family home, the main gate was open. Des noticed a few cars parked out front, which meant they were entertaining. He would have thought better of his actions if he hadn't been so angry, but he was too worked up to care.
After getting off his bike, Des pulled out his cellphone and fiddled with it for a few seconds before putting it back in his pocket. Then, he removed his helmet and barged into the house, scanning the place for his mother or father, ignoring the curious eyes on him. The second he saw Ava, he marched over to her.
"Desm—"
"You lied to me, Mother," he yelled before she could finish his name.
"What are you talking about?"
"Grandfather's will," he snapped.
Her eyes widened, and she turned to whoever she was talking to, making excuses before grabbing Des's arm and pulling him out of the crowded room. Des was seething, and he didn't hide his anger as they grew close to his father, who noticed the tension between the two of them. David apologized to his guests and joined Ava and Des as they took the stairs to David's office. When they were behind closed doors, Des let loose.
"I did every fucking thing you two wanted me to do. I grew up without friends and love, and all I wanted was to follow my dreams, and you two couldn't let that happen. How? How did you do it?"
"Desmond, I..." his mother began, but his father interrupted.
"How did you find out?" his father asked.
"Did you think I wouldn’t suspect you two were up to something? I just needed the evidence to prove it." He reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out the documents, and threw them on the coffee table.
David picked them up, and Des watched his eyes scanning the paperwork. "My father was a fool like you. How dare he give you all that money to waste away? So I told Bradley Wade to change the will. I knew you wouldn't read it. You're usually smarter than this. I'm surprised it took you all these years to figure things out."
"Do you think my life and dreams are some kind of joke?" He growled. "I will no longer be your puppet. Give me the original will."
"Why should I?" David said.
"Father, I get that in the past, I have let you walk all over me. Let you both keep me locked in a cage because I felt I had no other choice or lacked the confidence to fight back, but no more. I refuse to let you two hold me back any longer. If I'm not mistaken, I saw a few members of the press downstairs; I'm sure you don't want me to have a nice little conversation with them about how wonderful a father you've been. I'm sure your lead in the polls will dip really low once I'm done. You might never have abused me physically, but you two really fucked me up mentally."
"You little..." David went to speak, but Ava stopped him.
