Chapter 5

The board room was filled with a mixture of emotions.

The striking words glared at Xander, burning like a mixture of bitterness and poison. His father had bequeathed everything to him.

Now, fully grown, all that remained was to fill the hands of these vultures with their bags and expel them from both the mansion and the business.

However, his inheritance came with an unexpected condition: he had to marry before claiming it?

“Do you understand now, boy?” Xander’s knuckles turned white as they gripped the edge of the table.

“Do you believe this will stop me?”

“I don’t just believe it..."Jacob’s voice was smooth yet ominous."What, do you think you could easily drag me here and I will flinch? Alexander, you seem to not know me well. I came prepared.”

“What exactly are you implying, old man?”

"I am specifically referring to the provisions laid out in your father's will. Would you like me to recite it aloud?"

With a sly grin, Jacob proceeded to read off the stipulations of the will.

–––

Clause III – Testamentary Disposition to My Son, Alexander Michelle

I, Heinrich Michelle, being of sound mind and disposing memory, and in full possession of my testamentary capacity, do hereby bequeath, devise, and convey unto my lawful son, Alexander Michelle, all rights, titles, and interests in and to the whole of my estate, both real and personal, movable and immovable, including but not limited to:

All mansions, dwellings, and landed properties standing in my name;

All liquid assets, cash holdings, deposits, and securities maintained in any and all bank accounts under my sole ownership; and

The entirety of my corporate holdings, inclusive of all shares, controlling interests, intellectual property rights, and goodwill associated with Michelle Enterprises and its subsidiaries.

Provided always, and this shall be a binding condition precedent to the transfer of said estate, that my son, upon having attained the age of legal majority, shall further and without delay enter into lawful matrimony. Such marriage shall be to a woman of sound character and reputable standing, duly approved by the Michelle family, whose judgment in this regard shall be final and conclusive.

Until such time as this matrimonial condition is fulfilled, the whole of the estate shall remain in trust under the administration of my appointed executors: Cassandra Michelle (my wife) and Jacob Michelle (my father). They shall safeguard and preserve the assets for the eventual benefit of my said son, subject to the faithful execution of this clause.

–––

The words reverberated in Xander's ears like a cursed mantra and he let out a chilling laugh.

Jacob showed no sign of wavering, maintaining a taunting smile—the very expression fanned Xander’s fury the more.

The rest of the family — the vultures — watched in silent confusion. Never had they heard of such a clause. Or perhaps they had, years ago, when the reading of Heinrich Michelle’s Will resulted in chaos and drove little Xander away.

Yet, none of them bothered to examine the finer details. As long as they shared the spoils, they didn't give a damn about the man who had built the fortune.

Now that Xander was back, ready to strip them of their comforts, the revelation hit with a mixture of horror and twisted relief.

“Well, my nephew,” Uncle Noah added, raising his chin arrogantly,“my brother was wise. You can’t kick us from his company! He was my brother, and thus I have a rightful claim to part of his fortune.”

Leaning back confidently, Uncle Noah adjusted his coat, eyes sparkling with self-satisfaction. Opposite him, Loretta delicately sipped her coffee, a subtle smile playing on her lips.

Ingrid kept her hands neatly folded in her lap, her eyes shining with hidden delight. Isabel couldn’t conceal her smirk, seeing that this situation guaranteed she could continue enjoying a life of wealth without any effort.

And Frederick, he reclined casually, scrutinizing Xander with scornful eyes, silently mocking him as a fool thinking he could casually return and claim authority.

Every single person in that room, except David, reveled in Xander’s misfortune.

I expected your reaction,” Jacob said calmly, his voice filling the room. “Check for yourself whether the Will you possess is authentic or a forgery, Alexander. If you consider yourself a man, it’s time to grow up. Physical maturity alone doesn’t make you an adult.”

Xander forcefully struck the table unable to control himself.

His jaw clenched tightly as the weight of his grandfather’s arrogance pressed down on him.

Fury surged within him like molten metal. 17 years — he had endured 17 long years for this moment: to erase the smug grins from their faces, to make them feel the pain they had once inflicted on him."

Memories flooded back—lawyers once trusted, perhaps now corrupt. His mother’s quiet tears after confrontations with Jacob. The heated, secretive disputes between his parents. His brother’s incessant battles over money.

He had thought it was just family being messy. But now he saw the truth: they were parasites.

"Alright!" Xander snapped suddenly, his voice sharp as glass. "I just need a wife, isn't that right?" the words held more truth than he meant. "Fine. I have waited for 17 years. Another day of waiting won't matter. I will fulfill my father's wish. I will bring you a wife. And I hope you will honor his wishes."

Jacob's brow twitched, not out of surprise, but because of amusement. "And you believe you can simply bring in any woman at all?"

"Why not? You need a wife, don't you?!" Xander growled in response.

“Because, grandson,” Jacob said, savoring every word, “I am the eldest in the family. That means I get to choose a wife for you."

Xander stared at him, his dark glare slowly shifting into a low, humorless laugh. “Your old age is really eating away at your brain…”

“Perhaps,” Jacob replied smoothly, “but not enough to miss the clause: A woman your family chooses. Which means I get to select a wife worthy of our name.”

“You mean a leech from your pocket!” Xander sneered.

“I mean someone who isn’t a gold digger, aiming to drain all your fortune.” Jacob leaned forward, wearing a mockingly paternal smile. “I’m just looking out for your best interests, grandson.”

The room chuckled softly at the jab. They knew exactly what the old man meant. A wife from him is a wife he can control.

“In fact, grandson, your wife is already here. You just need to say the word, and I’ll bring her to you.”

For a heartbeat, Xander’s fury threatened to explode. But then… he saw it.

He would play along.

He would let Jacob believe he had won. And when the moment came, he would wipe that smug expression from his face so hard it would never return.

“Fine,” Xander said, his voice a low rumble and a subtle smile which was concealing his anger. “I accept.”

Jacob’s smile deepened like a cat watching a mouse step into its own trap. This is exactly what he wanted: a woman who he can control.

The sharp click of heels echoed across the gleaming floor as a floral, costly fragrance reached Xander’s nose before he even saw the source.

All eyes shifted to the person entering the room.

Xander turned as well, fixing his gaze straight ahead, his body tense and unprepared.

Then she stepped fully in view.

Xander’s expression froze instantly at the sight. The one that stood in front of him now couldn't possibly be her.