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.

Continue to read this book for free
Scan the code to download the app

Latest Chapter

  • A washed mind

    Barry returned to the same cafe where Laura worked. He found a vacant booth and sat down, his eyes fixed on the kitchen door. When Laura emerged, he raised a hand.“Laura,” he said, his voice calm. “A moment, please.”She approached, her smile never fading. “Of course, sir. What can I get for you today? More baklava?”“Nothing,” Barry said, his gaze intense. He gestured to the empty chair opposite him. “I was hoping you would sit and talk with me for a moment.”Her smile became politely puzzled. “Oh, I’m sorry, sir. I’m on duty. There are other guests I need to attend to.”Without a word, Barry reached into his pocket and slid a thick fold of large bills onto the table. It was more money than a waitress would make in a month. “This should cover your time,” he said evenly. “And compensate the café for any inconvenience.”Laura’s eyes flickered to the money, then back to his face. The cheerful mask didn’t break, but it did soften with a hint of bemused curiosity. She pulled out the c

  • An unexpected twist

    The morning sun streamed into the villa’s lavish living area, painting warm stripes across the floor. Barry sat in a plush armchair, scrolling through his phone with one hand and sipped a cup of steaming tea with the other. His brow furrowed in concentration as he inspected each number on his screen.The sliding door to the balcony opened and Adam stepped inside, stretching his arms high above his head with a yawn. “Morning, Dad,” he mumbled, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “You’re up early. What are you doing?”Barry didn’t look up from his screen. “Trying to reach someone,” he said, his voice focused. “I still have a few contacts from my time with the Ravens.”Adam blinked, pouring himself a glass of water from a crystal carafe. “I thought you severed all ties with them. You always said you never wanted to have anything to do with them again.”“I did,” Barry acknowledged, finally setting his phone down. “But I kept one line open. Francis Raven. Laura’s uncle, my ex-father-in-law

  • A Demon's domain

    Sebastian and Barry took a long stroll around the beach. It was still nightfall and only a handful of people were seen hanging around the beach. Barry had noted about four different people bearing the same serpent tattoo on the back of their hand. The doorman at the hotel, a cop, a truck driver and a florist lady. "What's happening on this island," Barry muttered as they passed a fisherman mending his net. "Almost every occupation on this island bears the mark. It's like the labour force is under one secert cult."“That is a question I have no answer to yet, Master,” Sebastian replied. “But I suspect that this island is a demon's domain. I felt its presence the moment I arrived.”Barry frowned, turning to face him. "What does a demon wants with an island's labour force?"Sebastian answered by gesturing with a white-gloved hand at the sea's horizon. “In this world, every demon has a role. Some of us, like myself, find purpose in service to a worthy mortal will. Others roam the earth

  • The mark

    The night was a velvet drape over the island, pierced only by the cold, sharp diamonds of the stars. Inside a private villa, Adam slept the deep, but Barry stood on the balcony, a silhouette against the moonlit sea. He gripped the cool stone railing, the events of the afternoon playing like a relentless loop in his mind. He couldn't get the thought of Laura out of his mind. Just then, Sebastian emerged out of the shadows.He bowed, slightly. “Master, you summoned me. Is there something wrong?”Barry didn’t turn. His gaze remained fixed on the dark, whispering sea. “I am not at peace, Sebastian.” He drew a slow breath. “Do you remember my ex-wife? Laura Raven? The woman whose family I destroyed decades ago, before I met Veronica?”From behind him, there was no shift in posture, no intake of breath. “Of course, Master. I remember her quite well.”“I saw her today,” Barry said, the words tight. “In a café. She was our waitress.”Sebastian raised an eyebrow. “An unexpected developme

  • Laura Raven

    Laura blinked, her eyes flickered down to the small, pinned nametag on her apron, as if to confirm the source of his strange familiarity.“Yes, that’s right,” she said, her voice still friendly, She gestured lightly to the tag. “Are you a regular here? I’m afraid I’m just filling in for the afternoon.”Barry stared, his mind reeling. She didn’t recognize him. Not a flicker of awareness in her warm, sun-crinkled eyes. It's been decades had since last he saw her. Still he never forgot her face. But to Laura, he was just another tourist in a linen shirt, sitting in the shade. Barry forced his voice to work. “No,” he cleared his throat. “No, we’re not regulars. It’s just… you remind me of someone I knew a long time ago. That’s all.”Laura’s smile returned, easier now. “Well, that’s nice to hear. I hope they were a good someone. So, what can I get for you gentlemen? The baklava is truly wonderful.”Barry’s mind raced. Was this an act? Was she pretending not to recognized him? Or could

  • Ghost of the past

    In the weeks that followed, after Barry's press conference, Adam's popularity grew massively as the world finally knew his secret as Barry Sullivan's son. His streams skyrocketed. His name trended all weeklong. Interview requests poured in, but Barry, sensing his son’s frayed edges, shut them all down. The spotlight was too hot, too intense. Adam needed to breathe.And so, Barry decided to disappear with his son for a private vacation. Just the two of themThey chose a sliver of land in the Pacific ocean. The island’s permanent population was a mere eight hundred souls, which were majorly tourists. Here, Barry and Adam were just another wealthy father and son, blending into the crowd of ordinary people in linen shirts and faded shorts.One afternoon, they found a small café tucked into a cobblestone alley, its tables scattered under a canopy of bougainvillea. The scent of salt air and freshly ground coffee mingled in the breeze. They took a table in the corner, the dappled sunlight

More Chapter
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on MegaNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
Scan code to read on App