Chapter 22 - THE WILL READING
One week later, the grand legal library of the downtown Chicago courthouse was filled with corporate attorneys and executives.
Mr. Cole sat beside Clara at the long mahogany conference table, holding baby Maya’s small bottle while Clara signed papers.
A distinguished senior probate judge sat at the head of the table, opening the official sealed red envelope from Box 402.
"We are here for the final execution of the Richard Vance Living Trust," Judge Harrison announced clearly to the room.
"Under Section 4 of the state probate code, all previous claims made by Julian Vance are declared null and void," the judge read.
"The entire forty-million-dollar estate, along with controlling interest in seven luxury hotels, is transferred to Maya Vance."
"With Clara Bennett Vance designated as the sole legal trustee and guardian until the child reaches majority," Harrison concluded.
The courtroom broke into soft applause from the independent board members who had long suffered under Julian’s tyranny.
Clara signed her name on the final parchment page, her light blue button-down shirt crisp and her hair neatly styled.
She looked across the table at Mr. Cole, whose dark blue suit and burgundy tie looked immaculate once again.
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"I couldn't have done any of this without you, David," Clara said softly, using his first name for the very first time.
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