Divorce papers
Author: Jericho Chase
last update2024-12-07 20:15:32

Evelyn Raven's funeral was a big event as she was a well respected and loved woman in North Hills.

High-profile individuals and even the first lady of the country graced her funeral.

After Evelyn Raven was laid to rest, the Raven family gathered the next day for a brief hearing of her will.

Evelyn Raven founded Raven enterprises, a global e-commerce company.

It's the third-largest e-commerce company in the world with a net worth of $400 million.

Evelyn Raven has two sons, Jonathan Raven and Francis Raven.

Jonathan and Ingrid had three offspring: Curtis Raven, Laura Raven and Betty Raven.

Francis, with his wife Helga Raven had two offspring, Gregory Raven and Jasmin Raven.

Mr. Woods, Evelyn's trusted lawyer, adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat.

Jonathan Raven, being the first son, was appointed chairman and CEO of the company, controlling 35% stake in the company.

Everyone nodded in approval as Jonathan had dedicated decades to Raven enterprises.

The family estate was also given to Jonathan's children, Curtis, Laura, and Betty, which was divided among them.

Francis Raven, Evelyn Raven's second son, was appointed COO of Raven enterprises with a 15% stake.

His two offspring inherited the secondary estate off the coasts of North Hills.

So far, so good, nobody argued with how their inheritance was split. It was fair and reasonable to the Raven family.

Evelyn also donated the sum of $15 million to various orphanages, foundations, and charitable causes.

Then Mr. Woods paused as he read the last paper. “There is one final bequest… to a man named Barry.”

Barry, who had been sitting on a low stool at the corner of the room, raised his head slowly when his name was announced.

He had been grieving Evelyn's death that he wasn't even paying attention to the will reading, not until his name was announced.

Everyone turned to stare at Moses, surprise written all over their faces.

“How is it possible that piece of crap gets a share of our family's inheritance?” Curtis said curtly. “He's an outsider. He shouldn't be getting a cut.”

“I agree,” Gregory stood up, agitated. He pointed an accusing finger at Barry. “Did you manipulate our grandmother to leave you a share of our wealth, you street rat.”

Barry's eyes darkened. He had had just about enough with the Raven family and their dislike for him.

“I did no such thing,” he said, his voice dark. “If you don't want me to take part in the inheritance, you can have it.”

Gregory hesitated. He had never seen Barry looked so sad and moody.

“Well, then,” Francis Raven urged Mr. Woods. “What did our loving mother leave her trashy grandson-in-law?”

Mr. Woods cleared his throat and glanced down at the document in his hand.

Everybody leaned forward, eager to hear what Evelyn Raven had left Barry.

“Barry is to inherit the White mansion off the coast of North Hills,” Mr. Woods announced. “He's also given rights to own Evelyn Raven's $10,000 funded Forex trading account.”

Everybody stood up sharply in shock.

The White mansion was worth over $25 million, too luxurious for a man like Barry to inherit out of the blue.

The Raven family erupted in anger.

Ingrid pulled at her hair, her voice screeching. “This is unacceptable. My children were given the family estate, but how come this nobody gets the White mansion, huh?”

“A $25 million mansion? You've got to be kidding me,” Curtis slammed his hands on the table. “Grandmother must have been out of her mind to leave him anything.”

“I smell a rat,” Gregory yelled at Barry, pointing an accusing finger at Barry. “What sort of lies did you whisper in my grandmother's ears while she was frail and weak? I don't believe this!”

Francis Raven walked up to Mr. Woods and snatched the documents.

“Give me that,” His eyes ran over every single detail of the will. “It's all in here. That bastard gets the White mansion and her forex trading account.”

Jonathan joined him and read the will. His face knitted into a thick frown. “Barry doesn't deserve this–any of it. As the first son of the Raven family, I cannot allow a stranger to own the White mansion.”

“Yeah, father, don't let him,” Betty Raven shouted. “How is he getting the white mansion and I have to share the family's estate with Laura and Curtis? It's not fair.”

Ingrid rushed up to Barry and slapped him across the face. “You entitled bastard. I don't care what my mother-in-law saw in you, but the rest of us clearly don't. If you know what's best for you, you'd reject this inheritance.”

Barry held his cheeks, his mind racing.

He was also shocked that Evelyn would leave him a home and not just any home, the White mansion.

The White mansion was the fifth most expensive private homes built in North Hills. It was too much for a pauper like him.

Suddenly, Laura who had been watching the entire scene in a brooding silence, stood up and cleared her throat.

The room fell silent as she spoke, “Well, now that grandmother is gone, I have a very important announcement I want to make.”

Barry looked at her, wondering what she was up to.

Her heels clicked sharply against the tiled floor as she walked up to him.

With one swift motion, she pulled out a stack of papers and thrust them into Barry's face.

“I'm getting a divorce,” she declared, a bitter smile on her face.

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