I Inherited Trillions, Now What?

Chapter 26 Court V

Harvey Lancaster adjusted his tie and stepped toward the witness stand, his movements deliberate and confident. His voice, calm yet assertive, broke the courtroom's heavy silence.

"Ms. Riverplate, let's revisit the subject of your father's will. You've asserted that you were unfairly excluded from inheriting shares in Blackwell Investments. However, isn't it true that while your father may have excluded you from the company, he left you other significant inheritances?"

Gregory Baldwin rose swiftly from his seat. "Objection, your Honor! The nature of my client's other inheritances is irrelevant to the matter at hand."

Harvey turned to the judge, his tone steady. "Your Honor, I respectfully disagree. The plaintiff's claim rests on the assertion of unjust treatment. It's important to establish the full context of what she did inherit, as it speaks directly to the fairness of Cassius Blackwell's decisions."

Judge Patterson leaned forward, considering the argument. After a moment, he nodded. "Overruled. Proceed, Mr. Lancaster."

Harvey gave a polite nod and returned his focus to Stephanie. "Ms. Riverplate, isn't it true that your father left you access to a Swiss bank account containing $18 billion and ownership of the Blackwell Real Estate Company, which is currently valued at $48 billion?"

Stephanie hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line before she answered. "Yes, he did. But that's beside the point. It's not even a tenth of what he left Alexander. This disparity is an injustice."

A wave of murmurs swept through the courtroom, but Harvey's expression remained impassive. He let her words hang in the air for a moment before continuing.

Harvey stepped back, raising his hands in deference. "Of course, your Honor. I'll ask a different question." He turned back to Stephanie. "Ms. Riverplate, is it true that after you got married and moved out, your father attempted to contact you multiple times, but you refused to answer his calls?"

Gregory's voice rang out once more. "Objection, your Honor! Counsel is speculating on the reasons behind my client's actions."

Before the judge could respond, Stephanie's voice cut through the tension. "Yes, it's true," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I didn't answer his calls. And yes, I told him I wanted nothing to do with him or his company. But that was because my father was a cruel man."

The courtroom fell silent as all eyes turned to Stephanie. She straightened in her seat, her green eyes blazing. "My father was loving and caring in his own way, but he never supported my dreams. While he paid for my education, he constantly discouraged me from pursuing my goals. When we were children, he would take Alexander to his meetings, to his business deals. But if I ever volunteered to go, he'd say, 'Business is not for little girls like you. Go play with your dolls.'"

Her voice cracked slightly, but she pressed on. "Yes, I ran away because he was stifling me. While I loved him, he underestimated me. I deserve my fair share of the property, not because of the money, but because I earned the right to be recognized as his equal." She turned to face Alexander, her gaze unwavering. "You know this is true."

Harvey remained silent, his expression unreadable. After a moment, he nodded curtly. "No further questions, your Honor."

Gregory rose from his seat, his voice firm. "Your Honor, the plaintiff would like to call our next witness."

He gestured toward the door, which creaked open slowly. All eyes turned as a figure stepped into the room