The funeral of Alistair Crane was quite an event. Almost 2,000 mourners from around the globe poured into Harmony. It was Chad’s first time in the media spotlight. The paparazzi followed him around incessantly, but he was there, front and center, with all the Russells supporting him.

The official word was that Alistair died of a heart attack. Unofficially, Sam Bennett agreed to Julian’s suggestion that heart attack by the word since there was no forensic evidence at the crime scene due to the torrential rains the night of Alistair’s murder. All of the evidence was washed away, and Sam had no suspects. He knew what a murder charge would do to the Cranes, and since he hated Alistair himself, he didn’t give a rat’s ass about wasting department resources on it. Sam suspected that Julian knew more than he was saying, but, he didn’t push it. This was one time that Sam Bennett was more than willing to ‘go along with the powers that be’.

After the funeral, the family, including Julian and Ivy’s children – Nicholas, Serena, and Julia – were present in the Living Room. Simone, Whitney and Eve decided to stay with Chad, and TC took Madelaine back home.

The lawyer came into the room.

“ I’m glad to see you all here. We should get to the details of the last will and testament of Alistair Crane.

There are several 5 million dollar bequests to various charities. 20 in total.

There will be a 100 million dollar donation to Harvard to fund a building at the Business School, as well as a scholarship fund.

Now, onto the people in this room.

To Pilar Lopez-Fitzgerald, the sum of 20 million dollars, for service to the Cranes above and beyond the call of duty.

To my grandchildren, Nicholas, Serena and Julia Crane, you each receive trust funds in the amount of 250 million dollars. You will each receive five percent of Crane Industries the day that you marry, as well as a permanent seat on the Board of Directors. To my grandson, Ethan Crane, you will receive a trust fund in the amount of 400 million dollars, as well as ten percent of Crane Industries and a permanent seat on the Board of Directors. “

Simone elbowed Chad. “ I thought YOU were a grandchild.”, she whispered.

Chad rolled his eyes.

The lawyer cleared his throat, and continued.

“ To my son, Julian Crane, I leave fifty percent of Crane Industries, as well as the rest of my holdings. And, the hope that he will finally become the leader of this family.

That would leave my daughter, Sheridan, and my bastard grandson, Chad Harris. As per agreement with my late wife, Katherine. Upon finding out about Chad’s existence, she amended the terms of her trust. The trust , which was restructured, now that I am dead, will go equally to Sheridan and Mr. Harris. That includes, among other things, twenty-five percent of Crane Industries and permanent seats on the Board of Directors.

Because of Alistair’s death, Ms. Crane, you can inherit your trust fund now, instead of when you marry, which only applied as long as Alistair was living.”

” Wait. You’re telling me that I got twelve and a half percent of Crane Industries?”, Chad asked, confused.

” Indeed, Mr. Harris. Twelve and a half percent and half of the total value of the trust, which is independent of Alistair’s holdings.”

” How much is that?”

” Well, as of a week ago, the total value of the trust was a little over one billion, five hundred million dollars.”

“ A BILLION AND A HALF?”, Simone asked in shock.

“ Wait a minute! You’re telling me that THE BASTARD got more than we did?”, Serena asked.

“ Serena!”, Julian hissed.

” Shove it, Father. I can’t believe it. You can’t keep it in your pants. You sully the family line with this….whatever, and he gets more than anyone? It’s not fair!”

” Nobody said life was fair, Princess.”, Chad replied sarcastically.

“ This is such BULL!”, Serena said, stomping out of the room.

“ Are we done?”, Julia asked, bored.

” Yes. There will be need for all of your to sign some papers, but we’re finished.”

” Good. I have a spa appointment.”, Julia replied and left the room.

Nicholas got up and came over to Chad, and slapped him on the back. “ You hit the jackpot, bastard brother. Congrats.”, and left the room.

Ivy came over to Chad. “ You must be feeling pretty good, Chad. But, be assured, ETHAN is going to take over the Crane Empire.”

“ Down, Ivy. Step away from MY son.”, Eve warned.

“ Just informing Chad of certain life truths, my dear Eve.”

Ivy walked away, and Simone muttered, “ bitch.”

” Simone!”, Eve admonished.

” Just telling the truth, Mom.”

Ethan came over to Chad. “ Congratulations, Chad. I look forward to working with you.”

Chad shook his hand. “ Yeah, right, man.”

“ I’m going to find Gwen and give her the news.”, Ethan left.

Sheridan came over to Chad and hugged him. “ I’m so happy for you, Chad.”

” Why, Sheridan?”

” Because Father wasn’t able to ignore you as he wanted to. Because I’m happy my mother knew about you and took care of you. Because, you’ll never want for anything. But, mainly because I’m glad you’re in the family. “

Chad looked at Sheridan. “ You know, I know you’re sincere. Thanks Sheridan.” Chad hugged her back.

” Well, I’m going to talk with Pilar. She’s still in shock over the bequest Alistair left her.”

Julian came over to Chad and the Russell women.

“ I know you’re in shock.”

” That’s an understatement.”

” I had no idea about my mother restructuring her trust. But, I’m glad she did. “

” You do grasp that this is really too much for my mind to process. “

” For now, yes. So, you can put it out of your mind. When you’re ready, we’ll sit down, and I’ll introduce you to the bankers. Now, just look forward to your baptism, and the family trip you’re taking. “

Chad hugged his father. “ Thanks, Julian.”

“ Would you all join me for a little cake and champagne. I want to savor this moment.”

Everyone laughed, and nodded in agreement.
 

TC knocked on the bedroom door.

“ Come in.”, Madelaine replied.

TC entered the room. “ Mama, what are you doing?”

” What does it look like? I’m packing.”

” But, the trip isn’t going to be that long.”

” I’m packing to go home. I won’t be returning to Harmony after the baptism and trip.”

” Why is that, Mama?”

” Don’t you think it’s time that I left?”

“ I don’t think that at all. I think it’s time that you left this house. But, you should be staying in Harmony.”

” Why? You all have lives.”

” And, you have family here. Family that loves you.”

“ Theodore, I just think it’s best that I leave.”

“ I would have thought that you’d stay to get to know your other son.”

Madelaine stopped what she was doing. Like she was frozen in time. She turned slowly to face TC.

“ What did you say?”

“ Exactly what you thought you heard. “

“ Theodore…”

“ Mama. I love you. I had no idea what pain you’ve been in all these years. Don’t expect me to welcome him to this family. To my house. I will not be breaking bread with him. But, you having a relationship with him has nothing to do with me. Eve taught me that. Though she loves me and the girls, part of her was dead, and we couldn’t touch it, no matter how much we loved her. CHAD helped make her whole. And, despite my feelings for the man, you having some sort of relationship with him will help heal your scars.”

“ Theodore…”

“ I protect my family, Mama. I always have. I always will. This is all I can give you, Mama. I’m not capable of anything else. This is my gift to you. For all your love. Forgive yourself, Mama. I have. And, I’m sure Dad has. If he loved you half as much as I love Eve, you were forgiven long ago.” TC came over to his mother and kissed her.

“ You have given me so much, Mama. I just wanted to return the favor. “

Madelaine began to sob, and TC held his mother as she let years of pain finally release.