Chapter 154
“Now that you’ve all heard directly from Alfred Wyndham himself, I will now read out his instructions,” Mr. Stewart announced,
A long, heavy silence settled over the room.
The grandchildren stared at one another, and confused.
Alfred’s words had been clear… painfully clear. But they carried a weight none of them had expected, creating a cloud of uncertainty around every person present.
Mr. Stewart lifted the next sheet of paper and began reading.
“Until Mr. Gabriel Wyndham and Mrs. Isla Wyndham’s first child graduates from college and is ready to follow in his father’s footsteps, Mr. Gabriel Wyndham will continue to lead the Wyndham empire.”
That sentence alone caused a shift in the atmosphere.
Wyatt’s shoulders went stiff where he sat. His nose flared. His eyes burned with silent anger. Beside him, Sia tensed, her hands twisting in her lap.
Mr. Stewart continued without pause.
“In addition, Mr. Gabriel Wyndham has the right to terminate all presidents and senior managers’ appointments if he finds any fault in their conduct.”
Wyatt’s jaw clenched so hard a muscle twitched visibly. Gabriel remained expressionless, though inside he felt the pressure of the responsibility settling deeper onto him.
“Mrs. Mia Wyndham,” Mr. Stewart read, “should return to her office and perform her responsibilities faithfully. If Mr. Gabriel Wyndham finds that she is involved in any indecent activity, he should dismiss her without hesitation.”
Mia gasped softly, shocked that her name had even appeared in the will.
Landon gently took her hand, squeezing it. She lowered her gaze in embarrassment.
“Mrs. Sia,” the lawyer continued, “should think carefully about what she wants to pursue and communicate it to Mr. Gabriel Wyndham. He is to give her all the support she needs. Everything else in the family should continue as it is. No changes. Everyone will continue to receive their monthly allowances, just as always.”
Mr. Stewart paused to take a breath, then proceeded.
“For Wyatt and Landon’s children, a fixed deposit has been arranged. It will be given to them once they turn twenty-one and are ready to begin their adult lives. And if they wish to work within the company, Mr. Gabriel should make sure they are employed.”
Wyatt blinked at this, but the tension in his body didn’t ease.
“And finally,” the lawyer said, lifting the last sheet, “to Mrs. Isla Wyndham-your jewelry business has my full support. Offices in Teriporto and Carminton will be given to you. It is my small gift to you.”
Isla’s mouth parted slightly. Her face lit up—only for her smile to break into tears. She wiped her cheeks
quickly, overwhelmed.
“These are the last instructions of Alfred Wyndham,” Mr. Stewart concluded. “And he expects every one of you to respect them.”
The room fell silent again. It was suffocating silence.
After the remaining legal protocols were completed, the lawyers packed their files and left the sitting room quietly.
Only when the door closed behind them did John finally speak.
“You have all heard his words yourselves,” he began softly. “That is my father’s wish.”
He paused and straightened slightly.
“There is another matter I wish to clarify,” he continued. “Even though some of you already know-or believe you know there are still doubts.’
He looked around the room slowly, meeting each pair of eyes.
“It is true that my only biological son… is Gabriel. And his mother is not Anna.”
Landon and Wyatt exchanged confused looks.
“I know Gabriel is the only true son of this family,” Landon said slowly. “I found out after overhearing your conversation with Grandfather. But I didn’t know Anna wasn’t his mother.”
John nodded. “I only spoke the truth today. Anna committed many offenses. She will be charged in court for some. And for the sake of you and Wyatt, I will bury the rest.”
Wyatt’s face twisted with confusion and fury.
John continued, “Just as Gabriel is not Anna’s son, neither are you. She adopted both of you from an orphanage and brought you into this family. So this is your family and will continue to be your identity. Nothing has changed. You will always be my children.”
For a moment, stunned silence filled the room.
Then… a loud, sharp laugh broke out.
Wyatt.
He laughed-not with humor, but with disbelief, anger, and bitterness. Sia and Mia looked shaken, their mouths open as the truth washed over them like cold water.
Wyatt finally stood up, his laugh fading into a scoff. “So that’s it?” he asked, shaking his head. “That’s the reason he’s always been the favorite?” He pointed at Gabriel with bitter eyes. “All this time?”
He scoffed again. “Why the charity? If this is not my family, then why should I still be here?”
“Because, whether you like it or not, you are still a Wyndham,” Gabriel countered, calm but firm.
“Says the man who has it all,” Wyatt spat. “You’ll never understand how I feel. Never.”
“Wyatt,” Gabriel said quietly, “I understand more than you think. I felt the pain when I learned the truth too. But despite everything, you are still my brother. And if you’re willing, we can put our differences aside and start again. This is your family. There is no other one.”
Gabriel sat back down, sighing lightly. He didn’t speak again.
Wyatt’s anger didn’t fade, but something in his expression softened-just slightly.
But the tension returned when he asked sharply, “The woman who was with you yesterday… who was she?”
He directed the question to John.
“That was Gladys,” John replied calmly. “My first love. And Gabriel’s birth mother. I have not introduced her properly yet.”
Wyatt sank back into his chair, silent.
John then added, “Once the case I filed against Anna is concluded, I will introduce all of you properly to Gladys. Because she will be your new mother soon.”
The tension thickened.
Shock hit everyone-everyone except Isla.
She was the only one smiling… softly, and warmly.
She understood what this meant. She knew that it was a new beginning with a healed family.
A future without pain.
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Florence is a passionate reader who finds joy in long drives on rainy days. She’s also a fan of Italian makeup tutorials, blending beauty and elegance into her everyday life.