Two days later.
Saturday morning.
Emma was cooking breakfast in the kitchen. Lily was at school, in the hospital rehabilitation room to prepare for her surgery which would be done next week.
Marcus was still asleep. Marcus wasn't going to the office today.
Emma was cutting vegetables when the doorbell rang.
A loud sound.
Emma wasn't expecting any guests.
Emma walked to the front door.
Emma opened the door.
In front of the door, there was a man. A man around 32 years old. Marcus but different. A wild version of Marcus.
It was Daniel. Marcus's half-brother.
"Daniel?" said Emma in shock.
Emma had seen Daniel before. When Marcus's father's will was read at Mr. Thomas's office.
But back then, Daniel sat far from Emma. They didn't talk.
Now, Daniel stood in front of Marcus's house door.
"Whose house is this?" asked Daniel in an unfriendly tone. "Is it Marcus's?"
"Yes," answered Emma. "This is Marcus's house. Can I help you?"
Daniel looked at Emma from head to toe. Looked in an impolite way.
"Who are you?" asked Daniel.
"I am Marcus's wife," answered Emma hesitantly.
Daniel laughed. A laugh that was unpleasant to hear.
"Wife? Hahaha. Marcus got married? When?" asked Daniel with sarcasm.
"Two weeks ago," answered Emma.
Daniel stopped laughing.
"Two weeks ago? Before or after the father's will deadline?" asked Daniel with sharp eyes.
Emma felt uncomfortable.
"Before," answered Emma.
Daniel smiled. But his smile was evil.
"Marcus already got married? That means Marcus is entitled to father's inheritance," said Daniel. "That means Marcus will get the company. Harrison and Associates."
"Marcus has worked hard for that company," said Emma.
"Marcus? Worked hard?" Daniel laughed again. "Marcus is just father's favorite son. Father gave opportunities to Marcus while I was rejected."
Marcus came out of his room. Marcus heard a voice. An unfamiliar voice.
Marcus went down to the lower floor.
Marcus saw Emma and Daniel at the front door.
Marcus immediately knew who it was.
"Daniel?" said Marcus in a cold tone.
"Marcus!" Daniel pretended to be happy. "Long time no see."
"What's wrong?" asked Marcus. Marcus's tone became colder.
"Just business," answered Daniel. "I came to talk about Harrison and Associates."
"What do you want to talk about?" asked Marcus.
Daniel looked at Emma.
"Can we talk alone?" asked Daniel.
Emma immediately understood. Emma went to the kitchen.
Marcus and Daniel entered the living room.
They sat down. But they weren't comfortable.
"So," said Daniel. "Marcus already got married."
"Yes," answered Marcus.
"To your secretary?" asked Daniel with a disgusting smile.
"Yes," answered Marcus.
"So fast," said Daniel. "Why suddenly get married?"
"That's none of your business," answered Marcus.
Daniel stood up.
"It's not my business. But this is my business," Daniel took a paper from his bag. "I will sue the father's will."
Marcus stood up too.
"Sue what?" asked Marcus angrily.
"The will is not valid," said Daniel. "I have evidence that father was not in a healthy mental state when making the will."
"That's a lie," said Marcus.
"Lie or not, I will bring it to court," said Daniel calmly. "And if I win, I will take Harrison and Associates. That company should be mine. I am father's firstborn son."
Marcus felt his face turn red.
Marcus felt hot.
Marcus felt angry.
Very angry.
"Get out," said Marcus in a harsh tone.
"What?" asked Daniel.
"Get out of my house," repeated Marcus louder. "Right now."
"But I just..." Daniel wanted to speak.
"GET OUT!" shouted Marcus.
His voice was very loud. Very angry.
Emma heard from the kitchen. Emma was scared.
Emma had never heard Marcus shout like that.
Daniel stood up quickly.
Daniel saw Marcus's eyes. Marcus's eyes were full of anger.
Daniel knew he couldn't win in this situation.
"Fine," said Daniel. "I'm leaving. But remember, the court will decide. Not Marcus."
Daniel left the house.
The door was closed hard.
Marcus sat down again. Marcus covered his face with his hands.
Marcus took a long breath.
Marcus tried to calm down.
But Marcus was still angry.
Emma came out from the kitchen.
Emma saw Marcus sitting with his face covered by his hands.
"Marcus?" called Emma gently.
Marcus lifted his head.
"What happened?" asked Emma.
"Daniel wants to sue the father's will," answered Marcus. "Daniel said the will is not valid."
"Really?" asked Emma with worry.
"I don't know," answered Marcus. "But Daniel said he has evidence."
Emma sat beside Marcus.
Emma held Marcus's hand.
"Marcus calm down first," said Emma. "We will handle this."
Marcus looked at Emma.
Marcus saw Emma's worried eyes. Emma's eyes that wanted to help.
Marcus felt slightly calmer.
"Thank you," said Marcus softly.
That night.
Marcus called Mr. Thomas.
"Mr. Thomas?" said Marcus. "Daniel wants to sue the father's will. He said the will is not valid."
"Not valid?" asked Mr. Thomas. "Based on what did he say it's not valid?"
"He said father was not in a healthy mental state," answered Marcus.
"That's not true," said Mr. Thomas. "When making the will, your father was very clear. Very conscious. The doctor also examined your father. The doctor said your father was in a healthy mental state."
"So Daniel can't sue?" asked Marcus.
"He can sue. But the chances of winning are very small. Because all the evidence is in our hands," answered Mr. Thomas. "But we need to be prepared. The court process can take a long time. And there will be considerable costs."
"How much will it cost?" asked Marcus.
"Maybe hundreds of thousands of dollars for a good lawyer," answered Mr. Thomas.
Marcus nodded even though Mr. Thomas couldn't see him.
"Okay," said Marcus. "We will handle this."
Emma listened to Marcus and Mr. Thomas's conversation.
Emma felt worried.
Emma thought: This is a big problem.
A problem that could change everything.
That night, in bed.
Emma couldn't sleep.
Emma thought about Daniel.
Emma thought about the lawsuit.
Emma thought about Harrison and Associates.
Emma thought about Marcus.
Emma woke up from bed.
Emma looked at the clock. 2 AM.
Emma went to Marcus's room.
Emma knocked on the door gently.
No answer.
Emma opened the door slowly.
Marcus was still asleep. But Marcus's sleep looked restless. Marcus was moving around.
Emma looked at Marcus sadly.
Emma wanted to help. But Emma didn't know how.