I Inherited Trillions, Now What?

Chapter 8 Dispute

The tension on Blackwell Island was suffocating, like a storm brewing just beyond the horizon. In the dimly lit confines of his late father's office, Alexander Blackwell paced with a fury that mirrored the tempest outside. The office, once a sanctuary of wisdom and order, now felt like a battleground. The flicker of a muted news broadcast on the television screen illuminated his features—a mixture of disbelief and rage etched across his face.

Behind him, Susan and Sebastian stood quietly, their expressions heavy with concern. They had followed him from the art room, drawn by the gravity of his reaction to the broadcast. Susan finally mustered the courage to speak.

"Alex, you need to calm down," she said gently, though her voice carried a firm edge.

Alexander spun to face her, his eyes blazing like fire against the backdrop of the darkened room. "Calm down?" he echoed incredulously. "Didn't you see what I just saw? My own sister—Stephanie—is suing me! How the hell am I supposed to calm down?"

Before Susan could respond, the door swung open with a sharp creak, and Elisabeth Blackwell strode in, her presence as commanding as ever. Her ocean eyes scanned the room, missing nothing. Sebastian and Susan immediately straightened, nodding respectfully. Alexander, however, met her gaze with barely contained fury.

"Where is Caroline?" he demanded, his voice clipped and sharp.

Sebastian stepped forward. "Miss Caroline left for her friend's manor not long ago, sir."

Alexander gave a terse nod but didn't relax. His attention returned to Elisabeth. "I assume you've seen the news."

Elisabeth nodded; her face unreadable. "I have. What's going on, Alexander?"

"What's going on?" he repeated, his voice cracking with disbelief. "Your precious daughter is suing me. Suing me! Claiming Father's will is biased!"

Elisabeth's expression barely shifted, but her silence spoke volumes.

"How do I know you're not helping her?" Alexander snapped, his tone accusatory.

Susan stepped in, her voice rising just enough to cut through the tension. "Alex, that's enough! She's here to help, not to fight."

Ignoring Susan, Elisabeth calmly pulled her phone from her pocket. Her movements were deliberate, unhurried, as though she were buying time to decide her next move. Dialing a number, she waited, and after a few rings, the call connected.

Sebastian nodded and immediately dialed the number. Within moments, the phone rang, and Godfrey Baldwin's familiar, measured voice answered. "Good day, Sebastian."

"Uncle Baldwin," Alexander interjected before Sebastian could speak. "I assume you've seen the news."

"Alexander," Baldwin greeted, his tone calm but wary. "Good afternoon. How are you?"

"You should know exactly what kind of mood I'm in," Alexander snapped. "Can she really do this? Can she challenge the will?"

Godfrey sighed, the sound weary. " Under New York law, yes. If she can prove her claim of sexism, she has a case. She could win half the inheritance."

Alexander's mind raced. New York law. Of course. The estate was under New York's jurisdiction—a strategic decision his father had made long ago. He felt the pieces clicking into place, and with them came a chilling realization. His voice dropped, every word laced with suspicion. "Wait... how did you know she's suing based on sexism? I didn't say that."

The room froze. Even Susan and Sebastian exchanged uneasy glances as the tension thickened.

Godfrey hesitated, and when he finally spoke, his voice carried the weight of betrayal. "Alexander, Baldwin & Pettersson has decided to represent your sister in this case."

Sebastian's reaction was immediate. "How could you? After everything Cassius did for you! After all these years!"

Alexander raised a hand, silencing him. His gaze darkened as he stared at the phone, his voice eerily calm. "Why?"

Godfrey sighed again, this time with a tinge of regret. "Alexander, I worked with your father for most of my life. And while you and he express yourselves differently, you are the same inside."

"What's wrong with that?" Alexander demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

"It wasn't a compliment, sir," Godfrey replied softly.

Without another word, Alexander ended the call, his jaw clenched. He turned to Sebastian, his voice steady but brimming with resolve. "I need a list of the top law firms in the world. There's no way I'm letting anyone take what's mine."

Susan and Elisabeth exchanged a glance, recognizing the futility of trying to reason with him. Quietly, they left the room, leaving Alexander to the silence of his father's office—a silence filled with simmering rage and unyielding determination.