PART 1: THE RUTHLESS HEIR

Chapter 1: A Cold Funeral

Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn was shrouded in a thick fog today, as gloomy as my own mood. Rows of ancient tombstones stood tall, witnessing the burial of my father-in-law – Mr. Arthur Vance, a renowned real estate tycoon who had passed away from a sudden heart attack at the age of 72.

I, Clara Vance, stood beside the grave, clutching a black handkerchief soaked in tears. I truly mourned Arthur. He wasn’t just a father-in-law; he was a second father, the one who had protected and taught me for the past 5 years since I stepped into this wealthy family.

Standing next to me was my husband, Kevin. He wore a perfectly tailored black Armani suit, sunglasses covering his eyes. But I knew he wasn’t crying. His hands weren’t trembling from grief, but from… excitement. Throughout the ceremony, he constantly checked his watch and secretly texted on his phone.

“Done yet?” Kevin whispered in my ear, his tone impatient. “It’s about to rain. I don’t want these crocodile skin shoes to get ruined.”

I turned to look at my husband, feeling a chill run down my spine. His father had just been laid to rest, and his concern was his shoes?

“Kevin, show some respect for Dad,” I said softly.

“He’s dead, Clara. Respect won’t bring him back to life,” Kevin smirked, then turned to nod at the family lawyer standing in the distance.

The funeral ended hastily at Kevin’s behest. We got into the Limousine to return to the mansion in The Hamptons.

In the car, Kevin didn’t sit next to me. He sat opposite, poured a glass of strong liquor, and drank it in one gulp.

“Clara,” he spoke up, his voice cold as an iceberg. “When we get home, I want you to pack your things.”

I looked up, not understanding his meaning. “Pack? Are we going somewhere?”

“Not ‘we’. Just you.” Kevin put down the glass, took off his sunglasses, revealing sharp, cruel eyes. “You have to leave the Vance mansion. Today.”

“What… what are you saying?” I stammered. “That’s our home.”

“That was my father’s home, and now it is mine,” Kevin emphasized every word. “Dad is gone. The will was preliminarily announced this morning. He left the entire 50-million-dollar estate, including the villa in the Hamptons, the penthouse in Manhattan, and the classic car collection… everything to his ‘only son’, me. Your name isn’t in it, Clara. Not a cent.”

I was stunned. Arthur loved me like a biological daughter. He always said I was the only one who could manage this estate. Why would he leave me nothing?

“But… we are husband and wife…”

“Not for long,” Kevin pulled a brown envelope from his jacket pocket, throwing it into my lap. “These are divorce papers. I’ve already signed them. The reason is ‘irreconcilable differences’. Sign it, then get out of my life.”

“Why?” Tears welled up in my eyes. “What did I do wrong? I took care of Dad, took care of you…”

“Your mistake is that you are too boring, Clara,” Kevin sneered. “You’re just a poor little mouse that got lucky and fell into a rice jar. For the past 5 years, I tolerated you only because Dad liked you. Now that he’s dead, I don’t need to act anymore. I need a wife worthy of my new status. Someone who knows how to enjoy life, how to party, not a housewife who only knows how to cook chicken soup and read books.”

The car stopped in front of the magnificent mansion gate.

The door opened. Waiting there was not the butler, but a beautiful young woman, seductive in a bright red dress – a taboo color on a funeral day. It was Tiffany, Kevin’s secretary.

“Honey!” Tiffany rushed to hug Kevin as soon as he stepped out of the car. “You’re back! I had the servants move all her tacky clothes to the backyard already.”

Kevin kissed her lips, right in front of me.

“Well done, babe. Now this house is ours.”

I stepped out of the car, legs trembling so much I couldn’t stand steady. My suitcase of clothes – the cheap things I brought when I married Kevin – had been thrown carelessly onto the lawn wet with evening dew.

“Go,” Kevin pointed to the gate. “Don’t make me call security to drag you out by the neck. And don’t dream of suing. With 50 million dollars in hand, I can hire a whole corporation of lawyers to crush you.”

The heavy iron gate slammed shut in front of me. The laughter of Kevin and Tiffany echoed out, bitter and cruel.

I stood there, alone amidst the rain starting to fall heavily. No home, no money, no family. Only the pain of betrayal cutting through my heart remained.

Chapter 2: The Call to Lawyer Henderson

I dragged the soaking wet suitcase to a shabby motel 5 miles away. It was the only place I could afford with the meager cash left in my wallet.

Sitting on the rickety bed, I stared at the divorce papers. Kevin had calculated everything. He wanted to kick me out onto the street empty-handed as soon as Dad died so I couldn’t react in time. He thought I was a weak little mouse.

But he forgot one thing. I am Arthur Vance’s daughter-in-law. And for the past 5 years, that wise man taught me one thing: Never bow down to a bully.

I wiped my tears. I was not allowed to be weak. I took out my phone, finding the number of Mr. Henderson – the private lawyer and also my father-in-law’s best friend.

The phone rang for a long time before someone picked up.

“Hello? Clara?” Mr. Henderson’s voice rang out, warm but a bit tired. He had also just returned from the funeral.

“Uncle Henderson,” I tried to keep my voice calm, but sobs still interrupted. “I… I was kicked out. Kevin kicked me out of the house. He said Dad left all 50 million dollars to him and wants a divorce immediately.”

The other end was silent for a few seconds.

Then, a sound rang out that stunned me.

Mr. Henderson was laughing.

Not a sarcastic laugh, but a hearty burst of laughter, as if he had just heard the funniest joke of the century.

“Ha ha ha! Oh my God!” Mr. Henderson laughed until he choked.

I was utterly confused. “Uncle Henderson? Why… why are you laughing? I am losing everything here!”

“I’m sorry, Clara,” Mr. Henderson tried to suppress the laughter, his voice returning to seriousness but still holding traces of glee. “I’m laughing at your husband’s stupidity. Did he really kick you out this very day?”

“Yes, as soon as we got home. He even brought his mistress over.”

“Idiot! Absolute idiot!” Mr. Henderson exclaimed. “He thinks he’s the smart heir, but in reality, he’s just a greedy puppet.”

“What do you mean? Kevin said the will was preliminarily announced…”

“There is such a will,” Mr. Henderson said. “Arthur showed him the summary last week when he was on his deathbed. It clearly stated: ‘The entire 50-million-dollar estate belongs to Kevin Vance’.”

“Then he was right…” I felt a wave of disappointment.

“But,” Mr. Henderson interrupted, his voice mysterious, “That was only Page 1. Kevin, with his arrogance and laziness, never bothered to read to Page 2 of any document. He just saw the number 50 million and signed to confirm he had read it.”

My heart pounded. “What does Page 2 say, Uncle?”

“Arthur knew what kind of person his son was, Clara. He knew Kevin was a womanizer, greedy, and incompetent. He also knew Kevin would treat you badly as soon as he closed his eyes. Therefore, he inserted a special ‘Trigger Clause’.”

“What clause?”

“Don’t ask any more. Open your email. I just sent you a full copy of the will, along with a legal document Arthur signed 6 months ago. Read it, and you will understand why Kevin just burned his future to the ground with his own hands.”

Trembling, I opened the email app on my phone.

A new email from the Law Office of Henderson had just arrived. Subject: “The Truth about the Vance Estate”.

I clicked on the attachment.

It was a scan of the will. I skimmed through Page 1, just as Kevin said. But when I scrolled down to Page 2, the bold text struck my eyes:

ADDITIONAL CLAUSE ON INHERITANCE CONDITIONS:

“The entire inheritance right stated in Section 1 (50 million dollars and real estate) is valid if and only if: At the time of my death and for the next 5 years, my son – Kevin Vance – maintains a happy and legal marriage with Clara Vance.

If Kevin Vance unilaterally files for divorce, or commits an act of kicking his wife out of the house, or is discovered committing adultery during this time, then:

1. Kevin Vance’s inheritance rights will be completely revoked. 2. The entire 50-million-dollar estate will be immediately transferred to the Trust Fund named Clara Vance, under Clara Vance’s full discretion. 3. Kevin Vance will only receive a minimum living allowance of $2,000/month, on the condition that he performs community service for 20 hours/week.”

I read those words over and over three times. My tears fell again, but this time they were tears of emotion and gratitude. Dad Arthur had calculated everything. He used Kevin’s own greed to protect me.

“Have you finished reading?” Mr. Henderson’s voice rang in the phone.

“I… I finished reading. Dad Arthur… he was truly great.”

“That’s not all,” Mr. Henderson chuckled. “There is another attached document. It is the Deed of Transfer for the ownership of the villa in The Hamptons.”

I opened the second file.

Certificate of Property Ownership. Owner: Clara Vance. Date of signing: 6 months ago.

“Arthur transferred the house to your name half a year ago, Clara. Kevin has no idea. He is ‘evicting’ the owner from her own house.”

A strong feeling surged in my heart. Fear and humiliation vanished. I gripped the phone tight.

“Uncle Henderson, what do I do now?”

“Wipe your tears, girl. Put on beautiful makeup. I’ll send a car to pick you up. We are going back to the Vance mansion. It’s time to teach your stupid husband a lesson about law and kindness.”

Chapter 3: The Return of the Mistress

One hour later.

Mr. Henderson’s Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of the Vance mansion gate. It was still raining, but inside me, there was a firestorm.

I stepped out of the car. I was no longer wearing the soaked funeral clothes. I wore a luxurious black dress I had bought as a spare, draped in a long trench coat, head held high.

The iron gate was still shut tight. I rang the bell.

Through the security camera, Kevin’s slurred voice rang out. He seemed drunk.

“Who is it? I told that bitch Clara to get lost… Oh, what are you back for? Begging for money?”

“Open the gate, Kevin,” I said calmly. “You are trespassing.”

“Hahaha! Are you crazy? This is my house! Get lost!”

“Mr. Henderson,” I turned to the lawyer standing beside me.

Mr. Henderson approached the camera, holding up the file.

“Hello, Kevin. I am lawyer Henderson. If you do not open the gate within 1 minute, I will call the sheriff to execute an eviction order. And believe me, the sheriff will be very interested in the fact that you are throwing a party with a strange girl on the day of your father’s funeral.”

The iron gate slowly opened.

Kevin stood at the main door, face flushed red from alcohol and anger. Tiffany stood behind him, arms crossed defiantly.

“Old man, who are you threatening?” Kevin shouted. “I am the legal heir! My old dad left everything to me!”

Mr. Henderson said nothing, just silently handed Kevin the will – page number 2.

“Read it, boy. Read it carefully.”

Kevin snatched the paper. He squinted to read.

His face turned from red to pale white, then as gray as ash. His hands trembled violently.

“No… impossible… This is fake! The senile old man couldn’t have written this!”

“The signature is notarized, there is a video recording of the will-making process,” Mr. Henderson said coldly. “You violated the core clause: Kicking your wife out of the house and committing adultery. Congratulations, you just lost 50 million dollars in less than 4 hours.”

“No!!!” Kevin screamed, tearing the paper. “I don’t believe it! I am his biological son! This bitch is just a stranger!”

“Stranger?” I stepped up, standing opposite Kevin. “This stranger took care of your father when you went to bars. This stranger held your father’s hand on his deathbed while you were on vacation with your secretary. Your father knew who his real family was, Kevin.”

I pulled out the second paper – The Certificate of House Ownership.

“And by the way, this house has belonged to me for 6 months. You are standing on my property. You have 10 minutes to pack your things and leave. Both you and your mistress.”

Tiffany heard that, her expression changed immediately. She let go of Kevin’s hand, stepping back.

“Kevin… you said you had 50 million dollars? You said this house was yours?”

“Shut up!” Kevin turned and slapped Tiffany. He was losing control completely.

“Security!” I ordered. The mansion’s security team – people who had worked for Mr. Arthur for years and were very fond of me – appeared immediately. They had been sick of Kevin’s arrogance for a long time.

“Yes, Madam,” the security captain bowed to me.

“Escort these two out. If they resist, call the police.”

Kevin looked around. No one stood on his side. He looked at me, his gaze shifting from aggressive to begging.

“Clara… darling wife… I was wrong. I was drunk. I was confused. Forgive me. Let’s start over, okay? I’ll kick Tiffany out immediately!”

He knelt down, hugging my legs.

I looked at the man kneeling at my feet. Just a few hours ago, he arrogantly kicked me out onto the street. His cowardice disgusted me.

I pulled my leg back.

“Too late, Kevin. You already signed the divorce papers. You were right, we have ‘irreconcilable differences’. The difference is: I am a human, and you are not.”

I turned my back and walked into the house.

“Throw him out!”

The screams and curses of Kevin and Tiffany echoed behind me, then faded as the mansion door closed.

PART 2: THE PRICE OF TRUTH

Chapter 4: Rebirth

The house became quiet. I sat in Dad Arthur’s familiar armchair, looking out the window. The rain had stopped.

“You did well,” Mr. Henderson placed a hand on my shoulder. “Arthur would be very proud.”

“I still can’t believe it,” I whispered. “Dad prepared everything for me.”

“He loved you, Clara. He knew you were the only one who would use this money for the right purpose, not for debauchery.”

The days that followed were a busy sequence. With Mr. Henderson’s help, I quickly took over the management of the assets.

Kevin? He didn’t give up easily. He hired third-rate lawyers to sue me, claiming in the press that I was a gold digger who deceived her father-in-law.

But the truth is always stronger than lies. The video recording of a lucid Dad Arthur making the will, along with evidence of Kevin’s adultery collected by private investigators (another one of Dad’s preparations), made the public turn their backs on him.

Kevin lost the lawsuit miserably. He had to live on a $2,000/month allowance – a figure not enough for him to pay his bar tab, let alone maintain a lavish lifestyle. He had to do community service sweeping trash in the park to receive the money. Tiffany left him as soon as she knew he was empty-handed.

One afternoon, I was walking in Central Park. I saw a man in an orange worker’s jumpsuit diligently picking up trash.

It was Kevin.

He looked ten years older, beard unshaven, face bitter.

When he saw me, he froze. I was wearing an elegant dress, walking with… a Corgi dog that Dad Arthur left behind.

Kevin opened his mouth intending to say something, perhaps a curse, or a plea. But I didn’t stop. I walked past him as if passing a stranger. He no longer existed in my life.

What did I do with that 50 million dollars?

I didn’t buy a yacht, didn’t buy a supercar. I established the “Arthur Vance Foundation” specializing in supporting lonely elderly people and women victims of domestic violence. I wanted Dad’s kindness to spread.

And I also started living for myself. I re-enrolled in university for the Art major I had abandoned to get married.

That night, I stood before Dad Arthur’s grave. I placed a bouquet of white roses on it.

“Thank you, Dad,” I whispered. “Thank you for showing me that even when the whole world turns its back, truth and kindness always have a place. And thank you… for helping me get rid of that 70kg debt from my life.”

A gentle breeze blew past, rustling the leaves of the old oak tree. I felt like I heard Dad’s hearty laughter echoing from somewhere.

“You did well, daughter. Now, live happily.”

I smiled, turning to walk towards the rising sun. My life was only now truly beginning.

THE END