Page 3 of Hacker Unknown

I didn’t need to turn around to know who stood behind me. It was the man from the cemetery. At least now I had a name, Sawyer. He walked to the side of the room and leaned against the white wall. Our eyes connected for a moment, and he glared back at me. His lips moved, and I guessed he mumbled something about not listening.

“Now we can start,” Thomas stated.

“I want to know who he is,” Benson cut in.

“My name is Sawyer Ledger, and I was summoned to this meeting. I was under the impression only beneficiaries are allowed,” Sawyer stated.

Thomas nodded. “Yes, I was getting to that. Camila, I know you are Benson’s wife, but you are not listed, so I am going to have to ask you to leave.”

Camila crossed her arms over her chest. “No, I need to be here to support my husband.”

“That is not a valid reason. I cannot start until you leave.”

Benson whispered something in her ear. She got up and stormed out of the office.

“I know this is hard for all of us. Devon meant something different to each person in this room.” Thomas flipped the first page of the will. “The entire estate is worth approximately one billion dollars. A majority of the estate is going to charity.”

“What?” Suzanne screeched. “I am his wife. Everything should be going to me.”

Thomas raised his brow. “I would ask everyone to keep their comments to themselves until we finish. Will readings are not normally done this way anymore, but Devon asked that I handle everything a certain way. Sonali being here changes a couple of aspects, but I need everyone to stay quiet until asked to speak.”

Everyone in the room nodded. My eyes were trained on the stack of papers on the desk, but I wanted to glance over to the side to figure out who the hell this Sawyer guy was. Did he not want me to show up because he wanted my piece of the inheritance? I hadmoney; I wanted to go back in time and see Devon again. Have afternoon tea together and talk about anything.

“Suzanne, I will start with your cut of the estate. You will receive this house only. Everything to run the house has been paid for until you pass, then the house will go to charity, and you are not allowed to sell it. Along with the house, you will receive an allowance of ten million each year. If you agree, I need you to sign here.”

Her hand clutched her throat. “I can’t possibly live off that. I refuse.”

Thomas shrugged. “There is a clause in the will. Anyone who refuses or fights the will forfeits their inheritance.”

She started to bawl, and my dislike for the woman increased. At the funeral, she cried some, but nothing like getting told she couldn’t fight the inheritance.

“Fine,” she grabbed the pen and scribbled her name.

Thomas took a picture of the signed document and placed it to the side. “You can leave now.”

“I want to hear what he’s giving her,” she spat out.

“That won’t happen. There are specific instructions; you need to leave.”

Benson reached over and grasped her hand. “I will tell you.”

She finally got up and left.

“Next is Benson?—”

“I can wait until they both go,” Benson cut in.

Thomas sighed. “You don’t listen at all. Per the instructions, you are next. This statement is directly from Devon. ‘Benson, I tried to raise you as my son. I’m not sure where I went wrong. You were not as cunning as you thought. Those companies you embezzled from and tried to pin on others are all documented. Your portion of the inheritance is going to fix the mistakes you made. Along with my funds, you have six months to clean up the mess you created. If you do not fix everything with the people you wronged, the information I have retained from my private investigator will be turned over to the police. I hope you can find your way, son.’”

“I don’t believe this. Someone filled his head with lies,” Benson jumped up from his seat. “Since I am not getting anything, I might as well contest this will.”

“You are welcome to do that. Just so you know, if you do the information will be turned over to the authorities.”

Benson rolled his eyes. “There is nothing.” He stormed out of the office.

This was crazy, and I hoped I went last because I sure as hell wanted to know what Sawyer was receiving. Or who the hell he was to Devon.

“Sonali, he trusted you more than anyone in the world. He was so proud of you and everything you accomplished. He wrote you a letter, but only for you to see.” Thomas slid the envelope across the table. Thomas continued, “Devon kept lots of secrets over the years, many we fought over. A few times a year, he would fly to Paris.”

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