Margaret and Benson had barely spent a day mourning before their greed took over. With Mr. Williams gone, they wasted no time in discussing how to divide his vast empire.
Sitting in the grand living room of the Williams estate, Margaret leaned back in her chair with a triumphant smirk. "Now that he's gone, it's time to claim what's rightfully ours," she said, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest. "Benson, my dear, we will split the business equally. We have worked too hard to let Adrian take everything."
Benson nodded eagerly, his eyes gleaming with ambition. "Finally, we don't have to sneak around anymore. Everything will be under our control. Adrian can fight all he wants, but we have already won."
Their conversation was interrupted by an unexpected visitor, Mr. Williams' lawyer. The moment he stepped in, the air grew tense. He had rushed over as soon as he heard about Williams' death, but not to pay respects. He had his own selfish motives.
"Margaret," he greeted, his tone sharp, "we need to talk."
Margaret rolled her eyes. "You sure got here fast. What do you want?"
The lawyer smirked, crossing his arms. "I came for what I was promised."
Benson narrowed his eyes. "Promised?"
The lawyer chuckled darkly. "Don't play dumb with me. I kept my mouth shut, helped delay the legal process so Williams wouldn't hand over the business to Adrian before his death. Now, I want my share."
Margaret scoffed. "You must be delusional if you think you're getting anything. The money and the company belong to me and my son."
The lawyer's smirk vanished, replaced by a glare. "Your son?" He laughed bitterly before leaning forward. "Do you really want to go there, Margaret? Because if I remember correctly, Benson isn't even Williams' son."
A thick silence filled the room.
Benson froze. "What… what did you just say?"
Margaret's eyes widened in horror. "Shut up," she hissed.
But the lawyer wasn't done. "Oh, don't act surprised, Margaret. You've hidden the truth for years, but now it's time to face it. Benson, you're my son, not Williams'. Your entire claim to his empire is built on a lie."
Benson staggered back as if he had been physically struck. His world crumbled around him. "That's not true," he muttered. "You're lying."
The lawyer turned to him, his voice laced with mockery. "Lying? Margaret, tell him the truth. Or would you rather I do it?"
Margaret's hands shook as she clenched her fists. She had kept this secret buried for years. Now, it was slipping right through her fingers. "Benson," she said, her voice shaking. "You're my son. But… your father isn't Williams."
Benson's face turned pale. "No. That can't be. I was supposed to be the rightful heir!"
Margaret's lips trembled. "I did what I had to do! I needed to secure our future! If Williams had known the truth, he would have thrown us out! Everything I did was for you, Benson!"
Benson stumbled backward, his mind spiraling. His entire identity, his entire purpose, had been a lie. He wasn't Williams' son. He had no legal right to the empire.
Meanwhile, the lawyer smirked in satisfaction, knowing he had just shattered their foundation. "So, Margaret, are you still going to deny me my share? Because from where I stand, you don't have much of a claim left."
Margaret's hands trembled as she clenched her fists, her mind racing for a way out. The weight of the secret she had kept for decades now threatened to crush her completely. Benson stood motionless, his face drained of color, still processing the shocking revelation that he was not William's son.
Derrick, the cunning lawyer, smirked, watching the chaos unfold before him like a well-played chess game. He took a slow, deliberate step toward them and spoke with a chilling finality.
"Well, Margaret, I think we both know what needs to happen next," he said, adjusting his suit. "You either give me what I'm owed, or I tell Adrian everything. I wonder how he'll react when he finds out that his so-called 'stepbrother' is nothing more than an imposter."
Margaret's eyes flared with panic. "You wouldn't dare," she hissed.
Derrick chuckled darkly. "Wouldn't I? I have nothing to lose. But you? You'll lose everything. Once Adrian finds out, he'll have all the proof he needs to throw you and Benson out with nothing."
Benson finally snapped out of his daze, his voice hoarse. "You can't do this. You're my father!"
Derrick's smirk faded slightly as he turned to Benson. "That may be true, but don't fool yourself into thinking I have any fatherly love for you. You were just a pawn in your mother's game. Now, I want my payment. Either I get my share of the company, or the truth comes out."
Margaret's breath hitched. She had worked too hard to let everything slip away now. If Adrian found out the truth, he would take control of everything. There was no way she would let that happen.
"You greedy bastard," she spat. "I gave you what you wanted all these years. I made sure you lived a comfortable life without lifting a finger, and now you're turning against me?"
Derrick shrugged. "Business is business, Margaret. My patience is wearing thin."
Benson clenched his fists, still struggling to comprehend the betrayal. His entire life, he had believed he was the rightful heir. But now, he realized he was nothing more than a mistake his mother had tried to cover up.
Margaret turned to Derrick, her expression dark. "Fine. Name your price."
Derrick's smirk returned. "I want a seat on the board of Williams Corp. I also want twenty percent of the shares."
Margaret's jaw tightened. That was a huge demand, but she had no choice. If Adrian found out the truth, they would lose everything.
"Fine," she seethed. "I'll make it happen."
Derrick leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "And one more thing… If I ever hear even a whisper that you're trying to go against me, I won't just tell Adrian I'll make sure the entire world knows what kind of fraud you are."
Margaret felt her stomach twist in rage and humiliation, but she forced herself to nod. "You have my word."
Derrick stepped back, satisfied. "Good. I'll be waiting."
As he walked out, Margaret turned to Benson, whose face was still pale with shock.
"Listen to me," she said, gripping his shoulders. "We may have lost our leverage, but we are not losing this war. Derrick is a snake, and we will deal with him just like we dealt with Williams."
Benson swallowed hard, his emotions torn between anger and desperation. "And what about Adrian?"
Margaret's eyes darkened. "He still doesn't know the truth. And as long as I'm alive, he never will."