CHAPTER 1

BREAKING NEWS

Jack descended the stairs to the meeting room.

All of the family had met there and he was supposed to go there too.

He had just gotten a call from his uncle that his attention was needed in the meeting room.

Jack walked slowly downstairs and approached the meeting room.

He was still not in a good mood and had been keeping to himself after the death of his beloved father.

They had just buried him, and most of the few members of the family were all ready to share and devour his properties and possessions.

They had invited his father’s lawyer to come and read out his bill.

They were all eager to get their share of the properties made by his late father.

He seemed quite unbothered about the whole issue of sharing properties because he knew, with facts, that his father had willed all his possessions to him.

Jack got to the entrance of the meeting room.

The door was already open, and from where he stood, he could see the people in the room.

His father’s immediate family were all seated, and the lawyer sat at the head of the table.

The family was all smiling and in a good mood.

There were drinks in front of everyone, and they really looked like they were celebrating.

Jack seriously wondered what was there to celebrate about his father’s death. However,he kept his thoughts and sat down on the only chair that was left for him..

“ I am here, uncle, you called me” Jack said, referring to his uncle who had called him earlier on the phone

“ Alright guys, we are all set now, so, Barrister Johnny, I will do you the honor of inviting you to do your work ” Mr Daniel said with a smile.

Jack was just observing all that was going on, but he kept quiet.

He could sense something really bad going on.

First of all, his uncle was not that free with their family lawyer, and he knew very well that the lawyer was not going to honour a meeting that was arranged by his uncle.

That raised his suspicions as to what was happpening in the group.

However, he knew he had nothing to lose and everything to gain at that moment,and so he did not lose his cool.

Barrister Johnny cleared his throat and stood up from his seat after taking a sip from his glass of juice.

“ Okay guys,I have with me here, the last will and testament of the late Mr. Andrew McAllister…” Barrister Johnny said and took out a paper from an envelope on the table.

“....It reads, "There comes a time in every man’s life where he’s got to face the truth no matter what.

I know it is now my turn to accept the truth and give out my belongings to my whole family.

I have therefore come to the realization and conclusion that the whole family is going to be safe when everything is passed on to a single person with the responsibility of taking care of the whole family like I did.

In view of that, I would like all of you, my family, to know that I love you all, and I believe in the unity of you all.

I hand over a hundred percent of all my possessions and belongings, including all my bank accounts, my companies and investments, my houses and all of my cars, and on top of it all, my authority and honour, to my beloved nephew, GEORGE…” the lawyer read.

At the mention of the name ‘GEORGE’, the whole family burst out into a joyous cheer except for Jack.

The other members cheered and hugged each other as they celebrated happily.

Jack wondered what was going on.

He had heard the name right and was quite surprised as to why that particular name had been mentioned.

He wondered why his father would give his properties to his cousin instead of himself.

He was really sure something was going on that was not right.

He had chanced upon some of his father’s files while he was still alive and had seen his will.

The phrases were the same, and all the written names were his personal name.

Above that, his father had told him on his sickbed that he had willed all of his properties to him.

He therefore wondered why the sudden change in names on the testament.

He was really sure something was not right in the whole of the story.

He looked around and saw all of them happily celebrating, including the lawyer and his subordinate.

He shouted at the top of his voice to the hearing of everyone at once.

“ SHUT UP EVERYONE!!!” He shouted on top of his voice.

The whole room went dead silent at once.

Everybody stopped what they were doing at once and turned all their attention to him

“ What is it, Jack?” His uncle, Daniel, said..

“ I don't understand what is going on here.

How can you tell me this? I do not think this is the right will my father left behind.

Barrister, you need to bring out the original document and read it out to everyone here.” Jack said.

All of them burst out into laughter, including the lawyer and his subordinate

Jack was quite surprised as to why they were all laughing.

He figured out that there was some kind of conspiracy going on within them.

“ There is nothing wrong, Jack, that is your late father’s last will and testament.

There is nothing wrong with it.

He has handed it over to your cousin here. At least, you should be happy for him, just like he would if you had gotten the properties.” Mr. Daniel said.

“ Do you ever think my father will turn in all of his properties to Thomas?.

The last time I checked, he was not even on good terms with my father. Do you think my father will make such a mistake?.

Why will he hand over his lifetime belongings to this little brat here instead of me?” Jack said angrily.

“ Who are you calling a little brat, huh?” his cousin, Thomas, retorted

“ You are the little brat I am talking about.

When was the very last time you even spoke with him? How come your name suddenly appeared on his will?” Jack fired.

“ Calm down everyone….” Mr. Daniel shouted on top of his voice

The whole place calmed down at once.

Jack was quiet, but deep down, he was burning with fury and wished he could pounce at Thomas and kill him with his bare hands.

“ The only person here who can settle this matter is the lawyer.

This will is a legal luminary, and that means the law agrees with whatever it is in the will.

Now we all know what is in there. The lawyer will sort this out” Mr Daniel said.

He winked at the lawyer and the lawyer winked back

“ Well, my people, this issue does not call for any brouhaha here.

It is stated clearly and boldly in this testament that the new legal owner and head of this family is officially GEORGE McALLISTER. Anybody who does not agree to what I read out here, has the right to contests its credibility in the court

Thank you, "the lawyer said.

He picked up his suitcase and left the scene with his subordinate.

Jack noticed a quick exchange of glances between the lawyers, Mr Daniel and George.

He suspected something serious going on there.

“ You will never become the owner of my father’s properties, not while I am still in this house” Jack fired at all of them and motioned to leave the place.

“ Yes, you are right, you are very right, because you are no longer going to be with us in this house.

Now, as the leader of The McAllister, I hereby declare that you are no longer deemed fit to stay with us in this mansion.

Get out of here now.” George fumed.

Jack was quite surprised by what George said.