Chapter 1 – Her Inheritance

People might think Melissa is heartless. When her father died, she didn’t even shed a single tear. Well, what do they expect? It’s not as if she’s close to her old man.

Since her mother died, her father was never home. She could count with her fingers the number of times they met in the last few years. He wasn’t affectionate and aside from the excessive financial support, there’s nothing else she received from him. She did try to get close but he’s the one who isn’t willing. He said it was enough that he’s providing for her material needs. She shouldn’t expect more. So she did.

Right now, all she’s feeling is annoyance. Melissa is irritated because her source of funds has gone. And no, she’s not receiving anything as her inheritance. Legally, it should be hers. That is, if he hadn’t written that freaking Last Will and Testament naming his best friend as the recipient and holder of it until she turns thirty years old.

Like… really? Thirty? She’s only twenty-three! There’s what? Seven more years before she could spend it? It’s unbelievable.

The man was also named as her legal guardian until she satisfies the condition to receive her inheritance. It makes her speechless. Her? Someone of legal age is being given a legal guardian? Is that a joke?

The lawyer explained that she could think of him as a trustee. The man, Klyde Henderson, would be managing the funds and disbursing her just enough to live a simple life. He’s not allowed to use it for his own.

As if he needs it, Melissa snorted. He’s wealthier than her father. Why would her dad even think if giving everything to him? Even the house was sold! Now, she has nowhere to go!

She always receives her monthly allowance on time. Savings isn’t in her vocabulary. So, right now, she really has nothing. Her old man just have to die near the month-end, catching her unawares.

She did attend his funeral, though. But frankly, it was unnecessary. There’s nothing she’s supposed to do. She was just there to be gossiped about. The absentee daughter! Huh, if they only knew how much of an absentee father William is…! But he’s already dead and you don’t bad-mouth the dead. So, it was her who was deemed cold and heartless.

Now, her biggest problem in her mind is getting money from the mountain of gold. Getting an appointment with Klyde is much harder than getting one from William. Just what exactly is wrong with those people? Why can’t they be normal? Are they that busy? She can’t wait any longer. She only has a couple of hundred dollars in her wallet! That can’t last her a day.

You have to think, though. Melissa is used to an extravagant life, established by her father. She had no qualms spending his money because she knows it’s hers by right. The man has the obligation to support her and half of it is supposedly from her mother anyway. She couldn’t remember now how her lovely and wonderful mother ended up marrying such a cold man, devoid of all emotions.

She’s so close to causing a scene at Henderson’s company lobby. If she has to wait for another hour, she swears she’s going to trash all their decorative jars. She eyed a dozen of them, looking very expensive in their containers.

Thankfully, she was told to go up to the CEO’s floor. But upon arriving there, she was asked to wait as the man is still attending a meeting. Melissa huffed and asked the secretary for snacks. She spent nearly an hour reading magazines and eating unfamiliar food. Oddly, she’s not actually picky. It’s just that the people around her have certain expectations and she lives up to them. Of what she buys, what she eats, where she shops, what car she drives… those things. But when there’s no pressure, no voice speaking in her ear, she does whatever. Right now, there’s no one to ask her why she’s eating ordinary meat buns so she munched on them quite satisfactorily. She’s hungry, that’s why.

When the man walked into the office, she quickly stood up. She’ll be damned if he tells her to meet him some other time. She needs her money today.

She raised an eyebrow when he looked at her with a frown.