Chapter 4 - THE LAST GIFT
Three days later, the supercar arrived.
Adrian stood in the driveway as the transport truck unloaded it.
He was ecstatic.
The black body reflected the Texas sunlight.
He walked around it slowly, admiring every detail.
“This is perfect.”
Richard watched from the mansion entrance.
Adrian turned toward him.
“You actually did it.”
Richard nodded.
“Yes.”
Adrian smiled.
“You're the best.”
It was the first affectionate thing Adrian had said to him in months.
Richard almost smiled.
Almost.
Instead, he said:
“Take care of it.”
Adrian laughed.
“Dad, it's a million-dollar car. Of course I will.”
He climbed inside.
The engine roared.
Adrian drove away.
Richard remained standing in the driveway long after the car disappeared.
Daniel Mercer arrived an hour later.
They met inside the office.
The revised will lay on the desk.
Daniel placed a pen beside it.
“Once you sign this, the changes become official.”
Richard looked at the document.
For a long moment, he didn't move.
“Does Adrian know?”
“No.”
“He'll find out eventually.”
“Yes.”
Richard signed.
The sound of the pen against paper seemed strangely loud.
Daniel gathered the documents.
“There is one thing you should know.”
Richard looked up.
“What?”
“Your previous estate plan gave Adrian control of Sterling Holdings when you died.”
Richard nodded.
“I know.”
“But the revised version changes that.”
“To whom?”
Daniel hesitated.
“The foundation.”
Richard looked toward the window.
The decision was painful.
But necessary.
That evening, Adrian returned home.
He was excited about the car.
He told his father about the engine.
The interior.
The sound.
The attention.
Richard listened quietly.
Then Adrian said:
“You know, when I inherit the company, I'm going to build a private garage just for cars like this.”
Richard looked at him.
“When you inherit the company?”
“Obviously.”
Richard said nothing.
Adrian continued.
“I'll probably sell some of the older properties.”
Richard's face remained calm.
“Why?”
“Because I don't need them.”
Richard slowly nodded.
“Of course.”
Adrian walked upstairs.
Richard remained alone.
His son had just described the future as though his father's life were already over.
Richard looked at the signed will.
Then whispered:
May you like
“Maybe that's the problem.”
For the first time, he wasn't thinking about what Adrian would inherit.
