Chapter 1

Winston's POV

"You look just like your grandfather."

Those were the first words Attorney Benjamin Castillo said as I took the seat across from him.

I adjusted the cuff of my charcoal-gray suit before looking up. "People have been telling me that since I was a kid."

He smiled faintly.

"I wasn't talking about your face."

I raised an eyebrow. Sinasabi ba nito na hindi ko kamukha si Lolo?

"I meant..." He paused, as if carefully choosing his words. "The way you carry yourself."

Pero hindi ko na siya pinakinggan. Mas gusto ko pang marinig na agad kung anong nakasulat sa Last Will and Testament ni Lolo. Kasi ngayong araw na to babasahin iyon.

Around the long conference table sat the people who carried the Domingo name. Some looked solemn and others looked impatient. A few couldn't even hide the excitement in their eyes.

Pathetic.

My grandfather had only been buried a week ago, yet everyone was already thinking about who would get what.

Attorney Castillo closed the thick black folder in front of him.

"Before we begin," he said calmly, "I'd like to extend my sincerest condolences to the entire Domingo family."

Silence answered him and no one spoke. No one moved.

I leaned back in my chair, my fingers loosely intertwined on the polished mahogany table.

"Let's not drag this any longer, Attorney," I said evenly. "I'm sure everyone here has somewhere else to be."

A few relatives exchanged awkward glances. Attorney Castillo looked at me for a moment before giving a slow nod.

"Very well." He opened the folder once more. "I've served Don Alejandro Domingo for thirty-six years." His voice echoed across the room. "I watched him build the Domingo Group from a single trading company into one of the largest business empires in Southeast Asia."

No one interrupted.

"He prepared this will personally. Every clause, every condition, every signature was made while he was of sound mind."

Condition? I frowned ever so slightly. That word caught my attention. Conditions weren't unusual in estate planning. But my grandfather wasn't the type to complicate things unnecessarily.

He believed in efficiency, just like I did.

Attorney Castillo continued.

"As most of you already know, Don Alejandro's personal assets, charitable foundations, and private investments have already been distributed according to the provisions stated in this document."

I wasn't listening anymore. There was only one thing that mattered. The Domingo Group. The company my grandfather had spent his entire life building. The same company I had been running as CEO for the past five years.

Attorney Castillo adjusted his glasses before turning another page.

"And now..." His eyes lifted from the document. "I will proceed with the final declaration regarding the ownership and succession of the Domingo Group."

The room suddenly became still. Nawala ang mga bulong-bulongan kanina at alam kong gusto ng marinig ng lahat kung may mamanahin ba sila o wala.

I noticed my Aunt Cecilia clasping her handbag tightly and Marco straightened his posture. One of my uncles quietly held his breath.

Interesting. Did they honestly think they still had a chance?

Attorney Castillo cleared his throat.

"Under the instruction of Don Alejandro Domingo..." He paused. "...the entirety of the Domingo Group shall be inherited by his only grandson..."

I allowed myself a small breath. Exactly as expected.

"...Mr. Winston Alejandro Domingo."

Several relatives immediately lowered their heads in disappointment. Others forced polite smiles, none of it surprised me. This wasn't luck.

I looked at Attorney Castillo.

"So," I said calmly, "shall we proceed with the transfer documents?"

Instead of answering, he slowly removed his glasses and folded them. Placed them neatly on top of the will. Then he looked directly into my eyes.

"There is..." A brief pause. "...one final condition."

My smile disappeared. The room fell completely silent.

"What condition?" I asked, my voice calm but firm.

Instead of answering me immediately, Attorney Castillo lowered his eyes to the document.

He read every single word exactly as it was written.

"'My dear grandson, Winston... If you are hearing this, then it means I've already left this world. If there's one thing I regret, it is watching you become an extraordinary businessman... while slowly forgetting how to become a man capable of loving another person.'"

I exhaled impatiently. My grandfather always had a way of turning even legal documents into life lessons.

Attorney Castillo continued reading.

"'You have inherited my intelligence, my discipline, and perhaps even my stubbornness. But there is one thing I failed to teach you... how to build a family.'"

"'For that reason, before you inherit everything I have spent my lifetime building, you must first fulfill one final wish of mine.'"

"You are required to marry Miss Windy Guanzon."

For a second, I honestly thought I had misheard him.

"I'm sorry..." I let out a short laugh. "What did you just say?"

"You must legally marry Miss Windy Guanzon."

I had never heard that name in my entire life. Nagbibiro ba tong si Lolo? Eh, hindi ko nga kilala yang sinasabi niyang Windy.

Attorney Castillo turned another page.

"Miss Windy Guanzon is the daughter of the late Ernesto Guanzon. Don Alejandro's closest friend... and his kumparé."

I leaned back in my chair.

"And because of that," I said flatly, "I'm expected to marry his daughter?"

Attorney Castillo didn't answer. He simply continued reading.

"'The marriage must be entered into in good faith. My grandson shall treat his wife with dignity and respect. He shall build a genuine family with her, not merely fulfill this condition in name.'"

I almost laughed. This couldn't be real. A marriage clause in a corporate inheritance? Was my grandfather serious?

"The marriage cannot be annulled immediately after the transfer of ownership," Attorney Castillo continued. "The Board of Trustees will oversee the fulfillment of Don Alejandro's final wishes."

That was enough. I pushed my chair back.

"I refuse. I don't know who this Windy Guanzon is. And I have absolutely no intention of marrying a woman I've never even met."

Then I walked out, leaving behind nothing but stunned silence.