Living Boldly in the LightChapter 2

The cold mountain wind whipped around me, sending shivers down my spine.

Every small mound in the deep woods seemed to be staring at me with unseen eyes.

I steeled myself and walked into the funeral home.

The service had ended, and the guests had all left.

The room was empty save for the benefactor’s three legitimate children and their lawyer, discussing the final arrangements.

“According to Mr. Stone’s last will, his estate, totaling two hundred million dollars, will be divided equally among the three of you.”

Two hundred million dollars! So much money!

No wonder my mother was so obsessed.

For over a decade, she’d been scrambling to get her hands on some of it.

And what I had to do today was claim a quarter of those two hundred million.

Fifty million!

My palms were sweating from nerves.

With that much money at stake, who would willingly let the child of a mistress take a share?

I figured a beating was inevitable.

I just hoped they’d go easy on me.

I had an exam tomorrow, and my hands still needed to write…

As I thought this, the division of assets had already begun.

The eldest, Seraphina Stone, sat at the head of the table. She was a renowned movie star, having just swept the nation’s top film awards.

Her sleek black dress couldn't hide her breathtaking beauty.

With delicate, slender fingers, she took the document, glanced at it, and then casually tossed it to her younger brother.

“That’s it? This is what’s worth wasting my time?”

Her brother, Benedict Stone, was dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, silver-rimmed glasses adding a touch of maturity to his refined, boyish face.

He stared at his laptop, typing incessantly, not even looking at the paper worth two hundred million.

“Money isn't something I need.”

I’d heard of him. He was the nation’s most brilliant young scientist, unparalleled in cutting-edge fields.

He truly had no need for money; all his needs were covered by state funding.

The paper drifted lightly into the hands of the youngest, Jason Stone.

His articulated fingers grasped it, then he casually tore it to shreds.

“Two hundred million is enough to warrant a will? Donate it.”

Jason carried an air of nonchalant ruthlessness. For someone consistently on the rich list, two hundred million wasn't worth his time.

Seraphina and Benedict raised their eyebrows but offered no objection.

The lawyer was about to draft a new donation agreement.

I weakly raised my hand.

“Um… excuse me…”

As soon as the words left my lips, the three legitimate children and the lawyer – four pairs of eyes – all focused on me.

My scalp tingled.

The lawyer spoke, “May I help you?”

I swallowed, then cautiously began, “I’m sorry, I… I’ve come to claim my inheritance…”