CHAPTER 3: Will

Diana Stallard Preface

One day ago.

It's been one month since my father passed away due to a car accident and the day until now I couldn't come out of the grief of his death, which made me really miserable and wretched.

My life is as if it stopped since the time I got the news of my father's death.

During this whole month, I isolated myself from the whole world. My uncle Anthony Preface is now taking care of my father's multi-billion Preface Enterprise. Today is the day when the official will of my father is going to be dictated by the lawyer in front of a huge audience of company being witnesses. This was my father's decision to let the whole world know what he wants to do with his property.

Everyone is curious about the inheritance of the company since their lives depend on it.

In front of the podium of the conference room of the Headquarters building of Preface Enterprise, the official lawyer of my father started to recite the will, bringing his face near the microphone.

I sighed fighting back the tears in my eyes, which were ready for this moment to flow down my eyes thinking about how I used to see my father making a speech to the employees of the whole firm with his graceful posture and bright smile standing on that very same podium.

After a brief introduction and a few words for my father the actual content came to light.

"I Stallard Preface with sound body and mind hereby declare that this legal document is my last will and testament. I revoke all my previous wills and I have only a daughter named Diana Stallard Preface living. Other than that I am not married nor have any children living or deceased. Now that the whole people of my company are listening to my words, it means that I am no more in this world....." I tried to suppress the heartache by listening to it then the lawyer continued to rephrase the words of the will.

"Some people would be upset right now due to my death and others would be happy but isn't it a good way to become a cause of happiness to those people? All of you would be curious about all the property that I left behind me and probably gossiping about its division and worth in the world market....

So, I would like to disclose this secret in front of you all. I appoint and nominate Diana Stallard Preface as the sole heir of Preface Enterprise. The whole property that includes Preface Enterprise, two villas in New York, Preface Mansion in San Francisco and several houses apartments and small companies under my name worth 53 billion dollars will be transferred to my sole biological Daughter Diana Stallard Preface on her 23rd birthday if she is married. If she is not married after her 23 years of age then the property will remain intact until she gets married and claims it. However, she will be provided with 5000 dollars monthly alliance to continue her living and study."

The hall was filled with whispers and the gazes of almost every person in the whole conference room were on me.

Then the content of the will continued.

"My most trusted friend, Silas Rowen is entrusted with the task of making my one and only daughter Diana Stallard Preface capable enough to run the Preface Enterprise the way I did.

I hope that you all will give my daughter the same love and respect that you gave me once.

Every member of my company is dear to me and so is my daughter. If my beneficiary does not survive then my whole property will be donated to charity unless Diana Stallard Preface decides otherwise."

The content of will ended all I know was that I was in tears by the time it ended. Grabbing my handbag, I stood up from my seat and walked towards the exit of the conference room with heavy steps.

"Diana! My child" Uncle Silas called me from behind.

Wiping down the fresh tears I turned around to look at him.

"Are you alright?" He asked with heavy expressions. Carefully looking at him, I can tell that he aged ten years in the past month. My father and he were best friends, more like brothers. When I was in my thoughts he said: "I came to see you but your uncle said that you didn't want to meet anyone."

I didn't know such a thing. I didn't know if anyone came to meet me.

"Nobody told me that you same Uncle!" I said in concern.

His expression changed, "Well that's expected. Perhaps Anthony didn't want me to meet you." He said with expressions full of anger and hatred.

Perhaps

"Maybe." I sighed. I don't understand this uncle of mine or I say step-uncle. "You wanted to talk about something?" I asked.

"Oh yes!" he said recalling that he wanted to say something to me. "You are in your last semester right?" He asked.

"Yes, I am," I confirmed.

"You heard Stallard will carefully that I am entrusted with guiding you regarding Preface Enterprise." He asked and I nodded in confirmation. "The matter of fact is that you are fine arts student and don't know the business. Also, you have only six months, after which you have to run the company." He explained.

"Father tutored me privately regarding business management, uncle," I informed him.

"I know as much, child." He is expressions were radiating sadness and heartache. "Theory and practice are completely different. As far as I know, you only know the intermediate level of information. You have to go through advanced courses of entrepreneurship along with dealing with the process to how a business person strategize in dealing."

"Certainly," I replied.

"I was thinking that I should start your education as soon as possible." He took out a piece of paper and forwarded it toward me. "Take this. You will be able to get into my mansion and office without any restriction. Once I come back from a business meeting in Chicago, come and find me."

I took the paper or card I say then looked at him, "Definitely uncle, I'll come to find you." I said while keeping the card inside my bag.

"That's good. Very good." He unconsciously nodded and his gaze landed on my step-uncle Anthony Preface. His features expressed disdain.

He mumbled something then said, "Don't let Anthony know about our little arrangement." Then he raised his wrist to look for the time, "I have a flight to catch in about an hour so I'll not be taking much of your time. Remember, what I said before? See you later." He said before walking away.