“ ‘To my alma mater, Oliver Humphrey College, I leave one hundred million dollars, to be used exclusively for scholarships. I have created an addendum that lays out instructions on how the scholarships are to be handed out.’ ”
Stone set down the will, picked up the top manila envelope, and handed it to Humphrey.
“Inside is your copy of the will and the addendum, which we can discuss separately.”
“I see,” Humphrey said. Though he was smiling, his expression looked more bewildered than excited. “Thank you.”
Stone picked up the will again. “ ‘The remainder of my estate will be split between my children, in the following manner.’ ”
Most of what Stone said seemed to fly in one of Aaron’s ears and out the other, as he smiled in anticipation. Ryan, on the other hand, furrowed his brow and took a quick glance at Susan.
“To my youngest, Ryan, I leave thirty percent of my estate, less the bequest to Oliver Humphrey College. This is to include my house in Sagaponack, and cash and holdings to be determined by the executor.’ ”
Aaron looked like he was about to explode in excitement about what he believed Stone was going to say.
“ ‘To my Aaron, I leave thirty percent of my estate, with the same caveat.’ ”
Aaron’s greedy grin vanished in confusion. “What did you say?”
“ ‘This is to include my Central Park Tower duplex,’ ” Stone went on, “ ‘and cash and holdings to be determined by the executor.’ ”
“My brother’s and my shares are only sixty percent,” Aaron said.
“Your math skills are impressive,” Stone said.
Aaron’s eyes narrowed. “What about the other forty percent?” As the last word left his mouth, he whipped his gaze to Susan. “Don’t tell me the rest is going to her!”
“If you’ll allow me to finish,” Stone said, then continued without waiting for a response. “ ‘To my eldest child and only daughter, Susan Vest, I leave the remainder of my estate.’ ”
Aaron jumped to his feet. “Daughter? Our father didn’t have a daughter!”
Stone picked up the next envelope from the stack and held it out to Aaron. “Your father thought you might need proof. Inside is your copy of the will, plus DNA results that confirm his relationship to Miss Vest.”
Aaron slapped the envelope out of Stone’s hand, and it fell to the floor. “That doesn’t prove a thing!”
“Science and the courts say otherwise,” Stone says.
“Bullshit! It’s probably not even real.”
“It’s okay,” Susan said. “If they—”
“It is not okay,” Stone said. He looked back at Aaron. “Your father’s instructions are clear and immutable.”
“I repeat,” Aaron said. “Bullshit! You’re trying to trick me out of what is mine, and there’s no way I’m going to let you get away with it! You will be hearing frommylawyer.” He turned toward the door. “Come on, Ryan.”
Ryan looked unsure, but having spent a lifetime following his brother’s orders, he reluctantly rose to his feet.
“You’ll want to hear this next part before you go,” Stone said.
Aaron, already halfway across the room, said, “Just more garbage.”
“Maybe, or it could mean you walk away with nothing.”
That grabbed Aaron’s attention. “What do you mean?”
Stone read from the will again. “ ‘In the event any of my beneficiaries contests this will and the court rules against them, their inheritance will be forfeited and divided between those who were not a party to the action.’ ”
Aaron’s mouth fell open. “He can’t do that.”
