Caroline spoke first.
“How much?”
Simon looked at her.
“Excuse me?”
“How much is the investment portfolio?”
“Caroline.”
“No, I’d like the number.”
Simon hesitated.
“Approximately forty-two million pounds at the most recent valuation.”
Peter swore quietly.
Henry laughed again.
Caroline stared at Elena.
“Forty-two million.”
Elena said nothing.
“The house.”
Nothing.
“Belgrave Crescent.”
Nothing.
Caroline leaned forward.
“And we’re supposed to believe you knew nothing about this?”
Elena met her eyes.
“I knew he had changed his will.”
Henry exploded.
“YOU KNEW?”
Simon raised a hand.
“Henry-”
“No.”
Henry turned fully toward Elena.
“You knew.”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“Three months ago.”
Caroline stood.
“Three months?”
Elena nodded.
Henry looked at Simon.
“And you allowed this?”
Simon frowned.
“Allowed?”
“My father was seventy-seven years old.”
“He was legally competent.”
“He was sick.”
“No.”
“He had heart problems.”
“Heart problems do not invalidate testamentary capacity.”
Henry pointed at Elena.
“And she just happened to be there.”
Elena’s voice remained level.
“I lived here.”
“Oh, how convenient.”
Peter stepped forward.
“Henry.”
“No. Don’t.”
Henry looked at Elena again.
“You worked for him for what, seven years?”
“Before we married, yes.”
“Seven years.”
Elena said nothing.
“And we’ve been his children our entire lives.”
That made her expression change.
Slightly.
Henry saw it.
He stepped closer.
“You don’t get to sit there silently like some grieving widow while we’re told you’ve inherited almost everything.”
Elena looked at him.
“Would you prefer I smile?”
Caroline gave a sharp laugh.
“There she is.”
Elena turned.
“What does that mean?”
“The real version.”
Peter said:
“Caroline, stop.”
“No. I’m tired of everyone treating her like she’s delicate.”
Caroline walked toward Elena.
“You know what? Congratulations.”
Elena stared.
“You won.”
“Caroline.”
“You came into Dad’s company, made yourself indispensable, married him, waited nine years and now you’re sitting in his house with forty million pounds.”
Elena’s face went cold.
“Are you finished?”
“No.”
Caroline stepped closer.
“Not remotely.”
