Chapter 2 TWO

CHAPTER TWO

STEPHANIE'S P.O.V

"You have to go for the reading of the will. You can't keep avoiding it," Sally whined, making me roll my eyes. "Don't you dare roll your eyes."

"And how would you know that, you can't even see me?"

"I know you so well, I can practically sense you rolling your eyes."

I let out a sigh, collapsing onto the sofa, kicking off my shoes. "A simple 'Good evening, how are you?' would have done the trick before starting this conversation".

She laughed boisterously. "See you see greeting. But babe, really, you need to get this over with."

"Fine. I'll call my mom and see if Sharon and Shelly would be available."

"Hi mama," I greeted, hugging and basking in her love, and we began weeping profusely. My sisters sniffled, and they joined in the hug, and we wept loudly, "I am sorry, Mama," I whispered repeatedly

She cleaned my tears. "It's okay. You were also dealing with your pain."

I shook my head, "But I abandoned you, and that is not right," I argued with tears dripping down my face

"It is okay, my baby. End of discussion," she said firmly

"Can we start already? I have important things to do," my uncle said rudely, sitting down and crossing his legs

"What the hell is he doing here? I thought you said family members," I shouted, my eyes blazing in anger at the lawyer, making him shrink in fear

"Well, the...the... thing is that your uncle is part of the will," he said nervously

I glared hard at him, waving my hands dismissively, "Get on with it."

Good morning, everyone. I am Barrister Zion. I am here to read Mr. Steven's will. But before that, I would like to offer my sincere condolences. This is the will of Mr. Steven Hunter, witnessed by two trusted individuals and his lawyer.

"My dear family, if you're reading this, it means I'm no longer with you, but I want you to know how much I cherished my time on earth and how much I love all of you. To my beloved wife, who has been by my side since our youth, and the mother to my three wonderful children, I leave all my properties in Zinc Enterprise, two brand new cars, and a monthly allowance of one million dollars."

At this, my mother choked out a sob. I drew her close. The barrister continued,

"To my youngest child, Shelly, I bequeath the school, a house, and a car upon her eighteenth birthday, ten percent ownership of the restaurant, and a monthly allowance of two hundred thousand dollars until she turns eighteen, which will increase to five hundred thousand dollars. To my second child, Sharon, I bequeath fifty percent of the tech company, a house and car, a five-hundred-thousand-dollar investment into your career, and a monthly allowance of six hundred thousand dollars.

To my first child, I give complete authority over all the companies I own and a monthly allowance of eight hundred thousand dollars.

Stephanie, for you to become the CEO of Steven's Construction, you will need to get married. I understand that you may be upset by this requirement, but I trust your judgment. You need to be more stable than ever for this responsibility. If you are married, your husband can support you in overseeing the affairs, but he will not become CEO. You are to start immediately after the reading of this.

To my dear brother Stan, I bequeath the complex located in the east of the country.

This is the will the lawyer finished up. I was still trying to wrap my head around this and not get upset about the clause when I heard my uncle's outburst

"I can't believe it! After everything I did for him, he dared to give his entire property to his daughters, daughters who won't even carry on the family name? This is outrageous!"

I looked at him in disbelief. "Are you sure you're not mentally deranged? What gives you the right to question my father's authority over his properties just because we are girls?"

"He is not worth the stress," my mother told me with pleading eyes

I breathed harshly. "I know, but I will not stand here and listen to him disrespect my father's last wishes. Thank you, Barrister, have a nice day."

It was my second day at the office, and I was dreading every second of it. I missed the old people's home. I checked the time and saw it was noon, which meant it was time for games at the center. I sighed for the umpteenth time, focusing on the pile of files lying before me

"Good afternoon, ma'am, I am sorry to interrupt, but there is an emergency board meeting," my assistant said

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. "Emergency meeting? Who authorized it?" I asked, standing up and adjusting my dress. I was wearing a yellow dress with alternating black and yellow sleeves, paired with black stilettos. I might not like it here, but I was not going to look like my problems

"Your uncle," he said, avoiding eye contact

I took deep breaths, not wanting to give a reaction. "Very well then, I believe my mother was informed of this meeting."

He shook his head negatively. "I am afraid not, but I have informed her, and she is on her way."

I gave him a grateful smile, to which he responded by smiling sadly, "Your father was a good man."

I gave him my gadgets, and we proceeded to the boardroom, where an unfortunate event was waiting for me

"Who would have thought, the new CEO," he teased

I sighed heavily, feeling irritated. "Mr. Unknown man, what a pleasant surprise. I didn't know you worked here," I greeted sarcastically

He chuckled, falling into step with me. "My name is Cole, and unfortunately, I don't work here. My company is one of the shareholders, and my grandfather insisted I come since the meeting came on short notice. I presume you wanted to make an entrance."

"Not that it is any of your business, but I didn't know about this meeting. It is just my second day, and I am trying to get acquainted with everything."

I opened the doors, and everyone was shocked to see me, and I raised my eyebrow. Smirking, "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I am sorry I haven't made the introductions. I planned on doing that by the end of the work week, but since someone fixed a meeting, I guess I just have to go with the flow. As you all know, my name is Stephanie Hunter, and I am the first child and legal heir to the late Chief. Engr (Mr.) Steven Hunter, and since that is out of the way, we have to wait for my mother while we all introduce ourselves." I finished sitting and going over my unfinished work

There was silence in the room, which means that I caught them red-handed in whatever plot they were about to do.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" Uncle Stan's voice sliced through the air, full of venom.

I leaned back in my chair, smirking, "Is there a problem, uncle?" I sneered, "This meeting will not start until my mother gets here. So, like I said, let the introductions continue," I said, looking at him dead in the eye, daring him to challenge me

"Good afternoon, everyone, I am sorry I am late. Thank you for waiting for me. Shall we begin?" my mom said the minute she got in, but not before kissing me on the forehead

My uncle wasted no time. "I believe that the position of CEO should be contested. Stephanie here," he eyed me condescendingly. "Doesn't have a solid foundation in construction, and I think that could jeopardize the company's future. Considering all the investments and time you have dedicated to this organization, I am the best candidate for the role, as I have been with the company through thick and thin." His voice oozed self-confidence as he threw me a sly glance.

"All those in favor, please raise your hands," he asked smugly as half of the board members raised their hands.

My mother exploded in anger, "What sort of rubbish is this!! Have you gone insane?" Her voice shook with anger at my uncle while I kept quiet, wondering what my uncle must have said to the board members who supported him. My uncle was manipulative, cunny and had been looking for an opportunity to mess me up but I was ready.

Uncle Stan didn't flinch "I don't see anything wrong in what I just said" He shrugged "I am simply telling the truth and to worsen it she is a girl," he added, his sneer turning to an ugly grin

I chuckled silently and then composed myself, reminding myself that I was in a serious meeting, hoping no one had caught me, but the universe was not in my favor because Cole looked at me weirdly