*Marlene's POV*
"And how soon do we get the money?"
the lawyer asked.
I turned to him,his beady eyes peered so intently at me that it seemed if he focused just a little more,they would drop and roll on the table.
I pulled my custom made purse out of the way just in case that happened.
"As soon as it comes in."I assured,not caring to feign a smile.
I will practically be giving away free money,there was no need to give warmth too.
My unwelcoming tone was the least of their priorities,they grimaced childishly,echoing the amount among themselves.
"A million each?"one of the more stern lawyers asked. Diggs was one of the most skeptical people out there and I was certain he was Hector's favourite puppet.
"I'm very generous,"I replied,holding eye contact.
"And what about the rest of the family–are they on board?"
No.
"Yes."I stare hard at him. "As I said,everything is already handled. All you need to do is sign the NDA and go with the story I give about the dispersion of the will."
He sighs and continues to leaf through the documents before him. So far he has been the only one who cares enough to review what he's been asked to do.
For a couple of lawyers that work with the Hidalgos,they lack both loyalty and restraint. I'd have to learn him,he was the only one I wanted to keep,he's going to be useful as a lawyer and a paranoid person like that is best kept on a leash.
"Well,"the glutton began,shoving the last of the complementary amaretti biscuits in his mouth. "Where do we sign?"
A small smile crossed my features and I nodded for the distribution of files.
I shut my eyes to the soothing sound of the scribble on paper.
This wasn't the first fraud I had committed; it would definitely not be my last either. Had I waited for life to serve me itself on a silver platter,I would have died of starvation. When you are born unfortunate,you make your own fortune.
As I have done before,I do now.
And shall continue even in the afterlife.
I can only hope Robert is as equipped to follow the same path,but even if he's not–there's little to worry,I made sure he was born fortunate.
All I had to do was secure the fortune so when I'm gone,it's with him.
Two fast paced and one hesitant scribble later,I opened and the lawyers were all staring at me.
Expectantly.
"You do realize you only get the money after you finish the job right?"I asked,gathering the files from the before them.
"Yes,well–let's get one with it,bring the will."
I stared at them waiting for them to all laugh out loud and say it was a prank.
They stared at me as if they expected the same.
"Aren't you supposed to have it?"I asked them.
A series of 'nos' danced in the room,while the other lawyers were staring at me pensively. The joyous glutton sent the empty tray of sweets back for another round.
"What do you mean you don't have it?"I asked frantically.
This couldn't be,none of the sisters had the will–I didn't have it,who else could have it and why haven't they come foward yet?
"Diggs–"
The stern lawyer who looked like he was beginning to question his life choices turned to me.
"He said he was going to give it to you."
"The last contract I did for him was the one with Evangeline and that Vincenzo guy–"
"And he gave you nothing after that?"
"Nothing."
"Bullshit,"I hissed getting out of my seat.
"Why would I lie?"
"Your very job is to lie,"I laughed.
"Well,I'm not."he gritted. "I just signed over my career stating you as the final say in my client's will and you think I'll withhold the will in question if I had it?"
Fair point.
"One of you in here has to have the will."
"Not me."Charles shook his head.I believed him,he was least competent of the three,Hector wouldn't trust him with that especially if he was suspecting his own death.
The room turned to the glutton,who was now about to receive the tray from the maid.
He is too busy admiring the display to notice our eyes on him and I make a mental note to never offer him food again.
"Well?"My impatience ran thin between my gritted teeth. "Mark,do you have the will."
"I have the will to eat."He said absently,guiding a scone to his mouth.
I snatched the food from his hand and threw it to the floor.
"I'd advise you to take this meeting more seriously."
He stared pitifully at his food and stared back at me,wiping his lips.
"The only person in this room that doesn't seem serious is you."
My eyebrows raised.
"Is that so?"
"You bring three lawyers of your husbands to commit money fraud and you don't even have the document to start."He laughed merrily. "If this blows up,I'll lose my license–you'll do life."
My skin pricked at the thought of going to jail but I arched my neck.
"If this blows up,I'd put a one million dollar bounty on your heads so for all your sakes,pray that I find who has the will and he's as compliant as you."
The glutton chuckled again and shoved a handful of grapes into his mouth.
I looked away in disgust and sent them away.
That slimy bastard. I can't help but think Hector might have known he was going to die-and the slimy bastard made sure to make life as tough as he could for me.
Then another thought striked me…what if another person knew he was going to die as well–the person sending me these cryptic letters could be the person with the will.
I bet if I tortured that maid long enough I could get some sort of information about the person that sent the letter.
I called Juan into my office and went to pour myself something strong to clear or fog my head. Not sure which one I needed,but I'd take the one I got.
I heard the door open behind and begin my interrogation.
"Tell me you have even the slightest idea about whose been sending those letters Juan?"
"What letters? I jerked and turned to find Robert instead of Juan.
"Where's Juan?"I asked.
He stares at the drink in my hand. "Did you get a letter too?"
I noticed the familiar piece of envelope dangling in his hand and swallowed all the contents of my drink.
Now they were targeting Robert too? This person must be more informed on the family than I thought..they knew Robert adored his father and he'll definitely turn on me if he found out.
This was full on war.
And they wanted to ensure I had no allies.
Had I had time,I would have prepared,made up something…I had just assumed it was a black mailer who wanted money. I assumed wrong.
"Yes,"I confess and I thought of what to say to buy myself time for an explanation."I got a letter too."
"Then you are aware–"
I sigh loudly.
"It was murder,do you know how serious that is?"
"Robert listen,let me explain–"
"Explain?"His face concocts in confusion and he comes up to me,his eyes darkening. "Did you have anything to do with Cameron's death?"
A wave of relief washed over me when I heard who was killed.
"Cameron is dead?"I asked,barely able to hold my smile.
"Yes", his eyebrows scrunched. "What were you talking about?"
"Bunch of idiots sending their late condolences–how did he die?"
"His family thinks he was murdered."
"How sad."I said coldly. "I will send my flowers."
"Are you done with the inheritance thing?"
"I'll tell you when I'm done Robert,focus on your own tasks"
Juan came into the room and I gladly sent Robert out of the room.
"So,updates?"
Juan's mouth opened but no words came out.
He had no update on the situation. He has been repeating that she didn't receive the letter from our usual private post.
It's like I had to do everything around here. I literally had to give commands like I'm dealing with robots.
"Torture the girl so she tells us who the letter is from.
He stares blankly.
"She's already dead."
I could feel the headache literally start to form in my temples.
"So you just killed our only source to know who the black mailer was."
"But ma'am,you told me to–"
"Get out."I hissed.
He stood dumb founded and I had to yell my command a second time before he finally left.
My gaze darted across the room as the door clicked shut.
I might need a stronger drink.