Chapter 10- The Will

The Holloway Estate had always been intimidating, even before Genevieve married into the family.

The estate sat on a hill; it had walls made of stone and gates made of iron that never opened unless permission was given. When she had gotten married to Charles, arriving at the estate made her stomach tighten, her voice soften, and her shoulders relax timidly. She had learned quickly that agreeing to everything that was said by Viola Holloway, Charles's mother, without objecting was the best way for anyone to earn approval in that house.

Today, as Genevieve stepped out of her car, dressed in a black silk dress, she felt none of that, only confidence.

The air was cold against her skin. The gravel in the estate made crunchy sounds beneath her heels as she walked toward the house with her chin lifted and back straight. The doors to the mansion opened before she reached them, and everyone inside turned to her at once.

They were waiting for her. She was sure that she was on time and that she did not arrive late.

Charles’s family filled the sitting room—his mother, Viola Holloway, seated at the head like a queen presiding over a council; a handful of aunts, uncles and cousins scattered around the room, murmuring quietly, watching Genevieve the way a person would watch a stranger who had overstayed her welcome.

Viola’s eyes met hers almost immediately.

They were the same eyes that had alwyas looked at Genevieve like she was an object that Charles had purchased. The look she gave her was nothing like the pretentious look she had given her at the funeral. 

“You’re late,” Viola said coldly.

Genevieve raised her hand to check her watch. “I’m exactly on time.”

There was a pause. Tension seemed to rise in the room. Genevieve was sure that the others in the room could feel the tension.

Someone shifted in their seat. A lady that Genevieve identified as Charles's cousin from the wedding exchanged a knowing look with another person that she couldn't recognize. Genevieve had not met all of Charles's family members, so she wasn't surprised when she saw some unfamiliar faces. She moved forward and took the empty chair opposite Viola.

Viola studied her. “You look… different.”

Genevieve smiled slightly. “Maybe grief does a change a person.”

The lawyer, Edmund Gray, cleared his throat, clearly sensing the tension in the room. “Shall we begin?”

“Yes,” Viola replied sharply as others in the room nodded their heads in agreement. “Let’s start.”

As the lawyer unfolded the document from the envelope, Genevieve leaned back in her chair, with her legs crossed and her hands folded. She had prepared for this—the details of the will, the hostility. Charles’s family had never liked her, and she was not oblivious to how they looked at her with such disdain. She was always quiet in family gatherings, never wanting to speak; she must have been timid then, but thanks to all the training that Delilah had given her, she was no longer that person that they used to know.

Edmund started reading the will. It began with minor assets to some family members, mostly the ones she couldn't recognize. A vacation property to a cousin. Expensive art pieces and jewelry were passed down through the women in the family. Viola relaxed slightly, a smug smile visible on her lips.

She looked at Genevieve with disdain. Genevieve did not return the look.

“And now,” the lawyer said, adjusting his glasses, “the remainder of Charles Holloway’s stocks and estate. The Holloway mansion in Woodvale, along with all adjoining lands and properties, is bequeathed to...”

Viola straightened, obviously expecting to hear her name.

“...Genevieve Holloway.”

The room exploded.

“What?” someone gasped.

Edmund continued, his voice steady. “Additionally, 20% of my shares will go to my mother, Viola Holloway; the remaining 40% of my shares and the right of the CEO of Holloway Group, I leave to my wife, Genevieve Holloway.”

The room exploded. Genevieve was surprised, she had never expected Charles to leave the company to her. She masked the surprise with a neutral expression.

“This is absurd.”

“He must have been manipulated.”

“Why would he leave the company to her?”

Viola’s chair scraped violently against the floor as she stood up. “That’s impossible.” Viola turned to Genevieve, her face filled with anger. “You planned this.” She half yelled.

“Planned what, exactly?” Genevieve asked calmly.

“You think we don’t see through you?” Viola snapped. “You were always quiet in all family gatherings because you were calculating. You knew how to play the obedient wife. I am sure you manipulated Charles to give you this estate and the company!”

A murmur of agreement from those in the room followed.

Genevieve rose slowly to her feet. The movement alone commanded silence in the room.

“I was always the obedient wife and daughter-in-law; I was always quiet in family gatherings,” she said, her voice even, “because I was taught that my voice was not needed here.”

Viola scoffed. “Don’t try to play saint.”

“I’m not playing saint,” Genevieve replied with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. “Because I'm not.”

One of Charles’s aunts whispered, but Genevieve could still hear her, “She never used to speak like this.”

Genevieve turned towards her. “People change, and I advise that you all get used to this version of me.”

Viola’s lips thinned, irritation visible in her face. “Charles was too generous. He married you because he liked your beauty, and he pitied you. Don't forget where he picked you from and how he polished you. You are the only bad decision he made while he was alive.”

Genevieve was not from a rich family and Charles had indeed given her a better life when he married her. She didn't love him but she liked him enough to marry him and she believed that, that was enough. She wasn't a gold digger, she married him because she wanted comfort, and a llife different from the uncomfortable one she came from.

“That’s interesting,” Genevieve chuckled. 

Viola’s eyes darkened. “Don’t test me.”

Genevieve took a step closer towards her, as if daring her to do her worst. “Or what?”

The tension in the room increased.

“You think because Charles gave you this estate and the company, it gives you power,” Viola said coldly. 

Genevieve’s expression did not waver. “Yes, it does because I can send every one of you out of this house right now.”

Whispers exploded in the room.

Viola’s voice rose. “You have no right.......”

“No,” Genevieve interrupted loudly. “You have no right.” She continued. “You speak as if Charles was a helpless man that I manipulated. As if he didn’t have the right to make his own choices.”

Viola’s voice shook with anger. “You think you’ve won? This will be contended in court!”

Genevieve smiled mockingly. "No, you are mistaken, Viola. I don't think I have won. I know that I have won. It is obvious."

Edmund Gray cleared his throat as if reminding them that he was still in the room. “For the record, if the will is contended in court, you will lose, as there is a video recording of Charles saying everything that he wrote in this will. It is legally binding and unchallengeable.”

That was the final blow.

Viola sat down slowly, her authority cracking in real time. The eyes of the people in the room no longer looked at Genevieve with disdain. Some looked at her with caution, and few with admiration.

As the meeting ended and everyone headed back to their homes, Viola stopped Genevieve at the doorway. “Charles left you more than you deserved,” she said quietly. “You should ask yourself why.”

Genevieve paused. “No, Viola. You should ask yourself why your son, who was always loyal to your commands, left the company to me. Maybe he found me to be more trustworthy than anyone else, especially you, his mother.”

She didn't wait to see Viola's reaction or hear her response. She walked out without looking back.

For the first time, she realized something: she was no longer the Genevieve that everyone used to know. She was different; she was the lead player in every game she was involved in, including the one against Dominic Rourke, and she was going to win.

She also knew that she had declared war with Viola indirectly and was prepared to fight until the end.