Chap 2: Mr. Cliff's Will

While the people at the Cliff Mansion were filled with sorrow, it was time for celebration for Malcolm and his family. He was rejoicing at his victory and asked his wife to put on the television to check the progress. The death of the Cliffs was all over the news.

Malcolm heard one news anchor say, "…….private jet owned by the Cliff family crashed while enroute to Paris from Chicago. The aircraft exploded as soon as it crashed. The reason for the crash is still unknown, but it is suspected there was some technical glitch in the aircraft. The investigations are on, and we will update you on the progress. Our resources have confirmed that all the passengers on board the flight, including Mr. Trent Cliff, Mrs. Melissa Cliff, their assistant Mr. Will, two pilots, and two crew members, were found dead. Our heartfelt condolences to the family….."

Malcolm abruptly gets up from his seat. Looking at his shocked expression, Nancy asks, "What happened?"

"What about the boy? Wasn't he supposed to be on the flight?" Malcolm asked, annoyed.

Nancy was confused. "Who? Which boy are you talking about?"

"The boy, what's his name? Trent's son?" asked Malcolm. He was continuously switching from one channel to another to confirm whether the boy was dead or not. Another news anchor was saying, "….Mr. Cliff is survived by a six-year-old son Triston Cliff. We deeply regret….."

"Oh yes, Melissa said Triston would be going with them,....but the news says he is alive," says Nancy.

Malcolm threw the remote in anger. "I can hear that"

"Why are you getting angry at me? "asked Nancy irritated.

"Don't you understand? I planned and executed everything to get hold of the Cliff family fortune. After so many unsuccessful attempts, I was finally able to kill them, but yet again, that little brat managed to escape death. Now the entire fortune will belong to him, and we get nothing," roared Malcolm.

Nancy tried to calm him down. "Don't worry, honey, he is just a little boy; why don't you get rid of him now?"

Malcolm thought about it and said, "Now is not the right time. The news is all over the media; if something happens to Triston now, then the Police will surely suspect some foul play."

Nancy agreed with him and asked in a worried tone, "Then what do we do now? Won't we get anything?"

"Not at all. All that planning and plotting were not done just to lose everything at the end. We have waited for so long, so we just have to wait for few more months. Once this matter is cooled down, we will get rid of Triston."

Nancy was relieved and hugged Malcolm. He broke the hug and said, "Now, let's start with our act again. We must go to the Cliff Mansion and act like concerned relatives."

Nancy gave an evil smile and said, "I am an expert in that regard."

---

At the Cliff Mansion, the Doctor was checking Triston, and Reese stood there worried. The Doctor checked him and said, "There is nothing wrong with him; he got unconscious due to shock. He will be fine soon."

Reese was relieved and thanked the Doctor.

Once the Doctor leaves, Reese sits beside Triston. His eyes were filled with tears when he thought about Mr. and Mrs. Cliff.

Mr. Cliff always considered him as a younger brother, not a Butler. Reese's father was working as a servant for Trent's dad.

Reese's entire family died when their house caught on fire. He was still in college, and he had lost everything within a day, including his family and his house. Trent had readily welcomed Reese to stay with him.

Reese's thoughts were interrupted when a maid came to inform him that Malcolm and Nancy were there at the Cliff Mansion. Reese left Triston's room, allowing him to rest, and went to meet Malcolm.

"I heard the news. Is it true?" Nancy asked Reese.

"Yes, it's true. Mr. and Mrs. Cliff were killed in the crash," said Reese sadly.

Malcolm gave a sad look, whereas Nancy was crying her eyes out, which looked fake. Reese never liked this family as he could feel the negative vibes from them. Their concern never seemed genuine.

Malcolm held his wife as if trying to console her and asked Reese, "What about Triston? Where is he? I heard even he was supposed to go with Trent. Is he…safe?"

"Triston was supposed to go, but he couldn't as he was not well. He is sleeping in his room now," said Reese.

Malcolm released a breath of relief to show that he was concerned for his nephew. His acting was definitely better than his wife's.

At that time, the family lawyer Robert Kent arrived at the Hunt Mansion.

Malcolm was a bit anxious seeing the Lawyer. Why is the Lawyer here? The last time he checked, Trent did not have any will.

Even though he was nervous, he managed to hold his dejected look and welcomed the guest warmly.

Robert greeted him back and said, "It's good; I found you here. I wanted to meet you too."

"What is this about?" asked Malcolm, concerned.

"It's about Mr. Trent's Will," said Robert calmly.

Malcolm's heart skipped a beat. Nancy gasped in shock but still managed to hide it by a fake cough.

Malcolm couldn't help but ask, "Trent had a Will?"

Robert nodded and said, "First, he did not have any Will, but the recent attempts on his life compelled him to do so. It was created just a week back."

Malcolm clenched his fists, trying to suppress his anger. He cursed the assassins who had failed to do their job. If they had been successful in their first attempt, there would have been no Will.

Robert then continued saying, "Also… the day Mr. Cliff left for Paris, I had received an Internet call from him while he was on board the flight."

Malcolm was tensed. Did Trent know something? He reluctantly asked, "W-What did he say?"

"The line was not very clear, so I couldn't hear him properly, but I am sure he said he wanted a few changes in the Will. He even asked me if I could board the next available flight and come to Paris," says Robert dejectedly.

Reese was alert when he heard that. Surely Mr. Cliff knew something about the attacks. They had been investigating for a long time. Reese even felt the plane crash was planned and not an accident.

"Did he say anything else as to what changes he wanted and why?" Reese asked Robert.

"No, before he could say anything else, the call was disconnected." Robert suddenly remembered something and said, "And, I also heard him saying something like 'I need to keep him safe."

"Who was he talking about?" Reese asked.

Robert thought about the phone call and said, "I think he was talking about Triston."

Malcolm was sweating with worry. Now he is sure Trent knew something before his death. Did he get to know that Malcolm was behind those attacks? Did he tell someone about it? Nancy saw Malcolm getting nervous, so she squeezes his palm asking him to control himself.

Malcolm gets back in his act and says, "Don't worry about Triston. I will take care of him like my own son."

Robert was a bit relieved to hear Triston is not alone. He pitied the little boy who lost his parents at such a young age. "How is Triston now?" He asked, looking from Reese to Malcolm.

"He is sleeping now. He didn't take the news well," Reese said sadly.

Robert nodded in understanding and spoke to Reese and Malcolm. "Regarding the Will, I want you two to come to my office tomorrow. I will read out its contents to you."

Reese was surprised. "Why do you want me to come? I am just a Butler here."

"You are one of the beneficiaries named in the Will," says Robert.

Malcolm was genuinely annoyed. All his efforts might be in vain because of this stupid Will.

Reese nods his head and says, "Ok, I will be there tomorrow."

Robert nods and then looks at Malcolm. "Triston is still a minor; I won't ask him to be there, but you are his only living relative, so you will be his guardian."

Malcolm was pleased to hear that. Even if Trent has given everything to Triston, the Cliff Empire will be under Malcolm's control. So, he will bear with the brat for a few months and then get rid of him permanently.

---

The next day, Reese and Malcolm were at the Lawyer's office for the will reading. Roberts greets them and starts.

"Last Will and Testament of Trent Cliff

I, Trent Cliff, of Chicago City, Illinois, United States, revoke my other former Wills and Codicils and declare this to be my last Will and Testament.

I declare that I am of legal age to make this Will and that I am of sound mind. This last Will expresses my wishes without undue influence or duress.

I am married to Melissa Cliff, and all references in this Will to "my spouse" are references to Melissa Cliff.

The name of my child is Triston Cliff, and all references in this Will to "my child" are references to Triston Cliff.

I appoint Robert Kent to be the executor of the Last Will. If this executor is unable or unwilling to serve, I appoint Mike Hall as the alternate executor.

Bequests

I bequeath onto the person's named below, if he or she survives me by thirty days, the following property.

Name: Reese Johnson

Relationship: Friend

Address: A-B-C, Chicago City

Properties: 1. Estate at D-E-F, Chicago city.

                 2. Restaurant "Eat and Repeat" at G-H-I, Chicago City.

                 3. Restaurant at J-K-L, Paris.

Name: Malcolm Cliff

Relationship: Brother

Address: M-N-O, Chicago City

Properties: 1. Estate at P-Q-R, New York City.

                 2. Hotel at S-T-U, Chicago City.

                 3. Resort at V-W-X, Florida City.

                 4. Hotel at Y-Z, London

Name: Melissa Cliff

Relationship: Spouse

Address: Cliff Mansion, Chicago

Properties: I do bequeath to my spouse all my personal effects and all my tangible property, including the Estates, Restaurants, Hotels, Resorts, Companies, Bank Accounts in my name, and the automobiles owned by me and held for my personal use at the time of death, but excluding the properties mentioned above given to other persons.

In an event my spouse shall not survive me, then I give and bequeath all such tangible property to my child, Triston Cliff. My child will be solely responsible for taking care of my business and its decisions from the age of 21.

In an event my child shall not survive until he is 21, all the tangible property will be given to the charitable organization "Feed the Babies."

After reading out the contents of the Will, Robert looks at both Malcolm and Reese. Reese seemed very emotional, as if he was about to cry, whereas Malcolm had a blank expression. Though his face was expressionless, his heart was filled with rage. He wanted to kill Trent again.

Robert handed a copy of the Will to both Reese and Malcolm and said, " As you can see, Mr. Trent has left properties for both of you. I need your approval so that we can proceed with the transfer process."

Both Reese and Malcolm nodded.

Robert further added, " Also, a few properties belonged to Mrs. Melissa Cliff, which by default will be transferred to Triston as an inheritance."

Robert now specifically spoke to Malcolm. "Triston is the sole owner for the rest of the Cliff fortune, but he is still a minor. Mr. Cliff has not specified any guardian for him in the Will, so you will be responsible for his inheritance until he is 21. I will make the arrangements for the same."

Malcolm gritted his teeth in anger but tried to stay calm in front of the Lawyer. Out of the numerous hotels and properties Trent owned, he had left him a few measly hotels. What displeased him, even more was that now he couldn't harm Triston till he is 21. His dreams of getting rid of the boy and being the sole owner of the Cliff Empire were ruined by a mere piece of paper. But he wouldn't give up so easily. He will not let a little brat wreck his plans.