Chapter 4 - DISOWNED BEFORE DAWN
My father’s head snapped up. “Second tape? What second tape? There is no second tape!”
Anthony pressed the remote.
The screen shifted to a different angle—this time, a camera hidden near the foyer of the estate, dated just three weeks ago.
On the screen, my brother Julian was standing near the front door with two men dressed in dark suits. They were talking in hushed tones, but the directional microphone caught every single word.
“If we liquidate the North Shore property after the old woman dies,” Julian’s recorded voice said casually as he twirled a car key on his finger, “we can split the real estate development rights. My father will sign off as executor.”
One of the men in suits asked, “What about your sister? Doesn't she have a claim?”
Julian laughed—a cruel, dismissive sound that bounced off the walls of the recorded foyer. “Kelly? She’s nobody. She’s a glorified assistant. Once Grandma’s gone, we’re cutting her off completely. She won't get a single penny. Dad’s already setting her up to take the fall for the offshore account discrepancies.”
In the dining room, Julian shrank back into his chair, pulling his head down as if trying to disappear into his collar. He couldn't look at me. He couldn't look at anyone.
I remembered all the times I had helped Julian with his college applications, all the times I had covered for him when he failed his finance courses, all the late-night phone calls where I sat up listening to him complain about the pressure our parents put on him.
I had thought we were allies in a toxic house.
In reality, he was just waiting for his turn to throw me to the wolves.
“Anthony,” Grandma said softly, breaking the agonizing silence. “Proceed with the execution of the codicil.”
Anthony stepped forward, unfolding a thick legal document stamped with the official seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
“As per the explicit instructions of Margaret Lel,” Anthony read aloud, his voice echoing with administrative finality, “effective immediately: Richard Lel and Evelyn Lel are removed from all corporate executive positions within Lel Maritime Holdings. All access to corporate credit accounts, family trust funds, and luxury properties is hereby revoked.”
My mother let out a shrill scream. “You can’t do this! You’re kicking us out onto the street? On Christmas?!”
“Furthermore,” Anthony continued, utterly unbothered by her reaction, “Julian Lel’s university trust allocation is permanently frozen, pending a full internal investigation into the misappropriation of corporate funds.”
“Grandma, please!” Julian cried out, jumping up from his chair, his face white with terror. “I didn't mean it! They made me say those things! Dad told me that Kelly was trying to steal from us!”
Grandma didn't even look at him. She stared straight ahead at the dark windows.
“You have thirty minutes to pack your personal belongings from the guest rooms and leave this property,” Anthony said, reaching into his coat pocket and pulling out two heavy, uniformed security guards who stepped through the dining room doors right on cue. “Private security will escort you to the gate. If you attempt to access any corporate accounts or return to this property without prior written permission from the sole executor—Kelly Lel—you will be arrested for trespass and corporate fraud.”
My father stood up slowly, looking around the room at his brothers and sisters. “Beatrice? Thomas? Are you just going to sit there and let her do this to us? Speak up!”
Aunt Beatrice looked away, staring down at her plate. Uncle Thomas cleared his throat and looked at the ceiling. None of them moved a finger. In our family, loyalty was tied strictly to money—and the money had just shifted completely to me.
Dad turned back to face me. His eyes were wild, bloodshot, filled with a terrifying mixture of hatred and desperation.
“You think you’ve won, don't you?” he spat out, taking a step toward me. The two security guards immediately stepped in, placing heavy hands on his shoulders and forcing him back. “You think you can run a two-billion-dollar empire, Kelly? You’re nothing! You’re just a pathetic, quiet little pencil pusher! You’ll destroy everything your grandmother built within a month!”
I slowly stood up from my chair. I picked up my folded wool coat, slid my arms into the sleeves, and smoothed down the lapels.
May you like
I looked my father straight in the eyes—without anger, without fear, and for the first time in my life, without wanting his approval.
“I won't destroy it, Dad,” I said softly, my voice calm and steady. “I’ve been the one holding the books together while you were tearing them apart. Security will show you out.”
