Chapter 99 – Second Chance Love of the Missing Groom Novel

And yet, the more she read, the paler her face became–eventually, all color drained from her face.

“No, this is impossible! Lionel wouldn’t do this to me! This has to be fake!” she cried hysterically and tore the papers into pieces.

The lawyer did not stop her, however–that was just a copy and not the original. It hardly mattered.

“You must be working with them!” Samantha continued, glaring between the lawyer, Abigail, and Sheryl. “You two… You put him up to this!”

Abigail, however, was not bothered with her raving, and asked the lawyer to read the will. Samantha was not about to let it rest, when Ricky caught her and said, “Stop it, Mom. Mr. Cooper is a man whom Dad trusted when he was alive, and he won’t lie to us.”

“Ricky, I’m your mom-

“I know, but do you think you can change a thing now?” Ricky asked in return.

Samantha was immediately silenced, and forced to listen to Mr. Cooper read Lionel’s will despite her reluctance.

“I have been asked by Mr. Lionel Bernstein to read his will, which dictates the distribution of his inheritance. Bernstein Mansion, as well as any monetary possessions, are to be passed on to his. wife, Sheryl Harris, while management and shares of his company are to be split between Abigail Bernstein and Ricky Bernstein…”

Mr. Cooper paused at that point for a moment, before continuing, “Please note that there is a condition to this split: Without Abigail Bernstein’s permission, Ricky Bernstein is not to meddle in any company affairs, and she will head the company in the interim. In other words, Ricky Bernstein has half the shares to the company but not authority over it. Abigail Bernstein has her own discretion on when she will grant him said authority.”

Ricky remained aloof despite hearing all of that–there was neither anger nor disappointment in his face.

It was a clear contrast from Samantha as she sat beside him, because her face was contorted with rage!

“There is another item addressed to Ms. Abigail Bernstein,” Mr. Cooper said, and handed Abigail an envelope.

She looked at him quizzically, and he suggested, “Perhaps Mr. Bernstein had something to tell you?”

Abigail opened the envelope, and closed it again after calmly reading through it.

“You knew?” she asked Mr. Cooper.

Lionel must have trusted him very much to leave this with him.

“I do,” Mr. Cooper replied. “Just say the word, and it shall be done.”

“Do it,” Abigail said casually.

“Do what?” Sheryl asked in curiosity.

‘Samantha White tried to murder me but failed,” Abigail explained, “But it’s a crime nonetheless. It seems that Lionel has evidence against her, and Mr. Cooper will bring in the police, as well as assume the role of my legal advisor.”

Samantha dropped limply to the floor in sheer terror.

Not only did Lionel leave her with nothing, but he wanted her dead!

The injustice, the hatred she felt just then… Was everything she did for naught?!

“Mom, did you really do it?” Ricky asked in disbelief.

Even if he knew that she was cunning, he would never believe that she would resort to murder!

Nonetheless, Samantha snarled in grief, “Yes, I was worried that she would take everything from you… and in the end, your father was playing favorites anyway! He gave everything to them, and left nothing for us! He even wants me dead!”

Ricky’s eyes flashed, but he quickly hid it and pushed Samantha away.

“How could you do that?! Even if Abigail is not your daughter, Lionel is her father too. You’re heinous–it’s not surprising why Dad wouldn’t leave you with anything. He’s punishing you for your crimes!”

Samantha’s eyes widened in disbelief. Even her son was now faulting her too?

“Argh!” she cried as her heart shattered. “Why?! Why do I bother?! After spending my life with a man with nothing to show for, and now my son hates me too… I should just die…”

Samantha started to bawl miserably, and her tears were genuine this time–Ricky’s words cut her to the quick.

Meanwhile, Abigail rose to her feet and stared at her for a while. “Accept your punishment for your crime. That would count as doing something for your son, at least.”

With those words, Abigail turned to Sheryl. “Let’s go, Mom.‘

Sheryl quickly followed Abigail out of Bernstein Mansion, which had become a bleak place since Lionel’s death.

“What did your father say in that letter?” she asked when they were out–it had been gnawing at her for a while, but she did not ask immediately since Samantha and Ricky were around.

“Dad asked me to take care of Ricky,” Abigail replied.

Sheryl laughed icily. “What is he thinking? Entrusting you with that boy? Is he that sure that you can accept such an arrangement? Even if you do, I won’t.”

After all, Samantha had groomed Ricky since she was a child, and he was therefore heavily influenced to become just like her.

“That’s why Dad gave me evidence of Samantha attempting to murder me. He’s trying to appease me.”

In reality, Abigail thought that Lionel was a little heartless–Samantha had been with him since her youth, even giving him a son despite having no legitimate ties to him.

But in the end, he left her with nothing.

It was certainly tragic, and it made evident how cold people could be.

Sheryl understood then. “He was siding with you, just so that you have reason to take Ricky under your wing?”

Abigail was certain that was Lionel’s intention.

“Mom, have you ever loved him?” she asked.

Sheryl’s lips trembled, and she spoke with melancholy after a long silence. “Of course. I wouldn’t have married him otherwise–I’ve even been delusional about him, not demanding a divorce when I learned that he has a mistress.”

“Do you hate him?”

“What is there to hate? He’s gone, and my head is clear as if I’d just escaped death myself.”

Even if Sheryl had felt hatred and lamented, she was now mostly feeling magnanimous.

With Lionel’s death, all the grievances between them were also written off.

It turned out that Mr. Cooper worked fast–Samantha’s case was done and dusted in just a few days. With the evidence of her attempted murder and her disenchanted state, things went very smoothly.

Abigail had lived at Bernstein Mansion as a child, and Lionel clearly intended to keep it within the family, which was why he passed it down to Sheryl.

Abigail understood Lionel’s intention, and moved in with Sheryl and Tommy–with this, she did not have to buy a house.

Still, she was left with a headache because she did not know anything about business management. Lionel’s decision to leave the company under her management might not have been a good idea!

Still, Lionel had entrusted the company in her hands, and she would assume that responsibility. Once Ricky was mature enough and could stand on his own, she would give it to him she wanted to work as a doctor again.

Lionel’s arrangement was for Abigail to hand over the company to Ricky once he was older anyway, though the boy would need to be groomed in more than a few aspects.

Knowing that it was what Lionel had been determined to do, she would realize his wish as his daughter.

Still, the only businessman she knew was Diarmuid, who was usually very busy. Reluctant to impose, she headed to Light Group to speak with Stan instead.

“Come to my office,” Stan told her, and Abigail nodded.

As they took an elevator upstairs, Stan asked, “Why me? Wouldn’t it be easier to ask Mr. Althoff?”

Abigail had not asked Diarmuid for a divorce, but she never forgot what Henry Althoff had told her to do the other day.

That was why she tried her best to avoid contact with Diarmuid, or she would feel more attached to him–it would hurt worse when they finally split.

Ding!

The elevator stopped, and Abigail followed Stan out to see Diarmuid nearby, accompanied by a certain woman…

And Abigail had met that woman before!

Abigail quickly averted her eyes and tried to avoid them, but Stan suddenly said, “Mr. Althoff is here. Aren’t you going to greet him?”

His voice drew the attention of those nearby.

As Diarmuid turned to look, Abigail had nowhere to hide. Meeting his gaze and flashing a smile, she said, “I was going to consult Stan…”

“About what?” Diarmuid asked, despite knowing the answer.

He just wanted to know how she was going to answer.

Moreover, he had the feeling that she was distancing herself from him. She kept claiming that she was busy and never returned to the mansion, even stopping him from attending Lionel’s funeral.

“It’s nothing important,” she said flatly.

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