“To Matilda, I leave the farm in the Estate and small cottage in the estate.” Everybody began to adjust on their seats as they all awaited my share of the inheritance.

“Every other asset, which includes the entire estate, apart from the specific areas given out, the entire Sterling company, my private villa and other landed properties I ever owned, I leave to my second grandson… Theodore sterling.” The lawyer read and I froze on my seat. I felt a wave of electricity pass through my bones and my entire being went numb.

The shock on the faces around me, the hatred and the disdain and scorn I saw in the eyes of every member of the Sterling family, made me feel like an outsider, or worse still a gold digger.

I turned to Conner, he gave me an assuring look and I braced up, squaring my shoulders and meeting the gaze of the lawyer who seemed to have something to say.