Financial Emperor: After I Rose From the Dead-Chapter 51

The dining room was quiet, with a tense atmosphere that almost looked like a courthouse that accommodated audiences who still waited for a particular judgment. Any slightest sound—be it shuffle, or even breath—seemed to be amplified by the stillness of this silence.

Rino Carter walked in, behind Ribby, whom after some strides in the step, bowed before those at the dining table and left immediately.

What’s more? Ribby had delivered the feedback which the others waited from him as feedback to the pair of eyes staring. The whole scene was pristine and imposing, just like his room where he had awoken in.

He wanted to gasp in awe of what he was seeing but abruptly got hold of his consciousness.

’But this was not the Carter’s Mansion I knew.’

This was his thought as he looked to download the features of this dining room, which was a grand hall shaped like a square.

At the center of this room, was a massive rectangular mahogany table, well polished to a shine that it was able to mirror the chandeliers that hung above.

Velvet curtains draped over glass windows that looked stained with filters, encumbering the rays from the sunlight into calming tones of gold and blue.

At the head of the table, Josh Carter sat poised and grim in a tailored black suit. He folded his arms tightly against his chest, his expression clearly showing a frozen sculpture of irritation.

According to Rino’s memory, this was normally how Josh should have acted. Especially, as it happened that Rino was somehow at fault for having delayed everyone else.

To the left of Josh, was seated his mother, Rino’s stepmother, Rose Carter. Her features were elegant, and her posture was poised, and carefully made up. On seeing Rino, she let a weak smile pressed into her lips, but Rino knew better.

Rino knew that was a mockery smile. Probably, reminding him that useless sons got nothing, something of that sort.

Her attire, was indeed alluring. The silky burgundy gown she wore tightening against her robust frame.

In terms of appearance, Rino was the odd man out. Wearing a pyjamas to a gathering, where the attendees wore corporate clothes...

But—

’So be it. They called me out here earlier than should be.’

Across from where Josh and Rose sat, was Mr. Hollister, the family lawyer. His gray hair, even though proved he was aging, was combed back neatly, and a leather briefcase rested at his feet.

Rino continued to move with calculated, uneven steps, until he got to an empty seat between Josh and Mr. Hollister.

He moved without any word, settling into the chair, and nodded at the lawyer.

Mr. Hollister cleared his throat, cupping his palms before his mouth, before beating his chest softly a few times until he was satisfied with the end result.

Then, his voice started.

"Before I resume to advocate this Will, let me state clearly that this Will and Testament you are about to hear was written and authorized by the Late Chairman Moses Carter."

Hollister said, and paused for a while. Then, continued again, a few seconds later—

"As at the point of delivering this Will, I also wish to clear you that this Will was prepared by the Late Chairman himself under full legal capacity, of sound mind and good health, without coercion," Hollister stated before removing a thick leather folder from his briefcase and placing it gently on the table.

Rino thought for some minutes, impatient.

This was the reason he hated meetings, but he had no choice. The moderators always failed to go straight to the point, always reeling around a particular topic that could be discarded for the main topics.

"...these documents were drafted, with two legal bodies as witnesses who also signed accordingly," Mr. Hollister said and continued.

"It has been authorized by the State Registrar, and is now embossed with a seal of authenticity. This Will document has been notarized, and the signatures verified through our legal department."

’Was that all?’

As far as Rino was concerned, there should have been a video recording of Mr. Carter reading the contents of the will.

Just as he thought, Mr. Hollister’s voice broken the very brief silence.

"A certified video recording, dated three weeks before the Late Chairman’s death, where he read the contents of the Will aloud, is also archived and available should the need for further confirmation arise."

As the lawyer continued showing he had way with words, Rino leaned slightly back in his seat. Exhausted.

He ripped his fingers into the pocket of the pyjamas he wore, and retrieved the Samsung S25 Plus.

With a practiced swipe and fingerprint confirmation to unlock his phone, he scrolled through his apps until he met WeBull at the far bottom.

He immediately opened the app, and saw that the Halford Tech stock was still surging.

At least, that was where his concentration had been since past few minutes. To him, the family lawyer was still gibbering words, and was yet to take into actions, those words.

And that was not the kind of vibes he wished to live with. At least, not according to what fragments are gradually lost in Rino Carter’s memories.

Rino smiled faintly upon this self-realization and beat his chest unknowingly.

Noticing the surprised gaze from his brother, and stepmother, led him to immediately apologize.

"I’m sorry if I had disturbed. I just had something stuck in my chest."

Blatant lie.

He, however, returned his gaze to his phone, leaving Mr. Hollister’s words ignored.

He scrolled.

And remembered again.

He was yet to sell his stocks.

Smiling faintly, he tapped [SELL], selecting all the shares he had purchased before the accident.

The loading dialog continued rolling in circles, a proof that a buyer was yet to claim the sold shares.

Either way, a profit is on its way.

Rino just slid the phone back into his pocket, and straightened just in time as Hollister closed the introduction.

"To ensure full transparency," Hollister continued, "Permit me to distribute individual copies of the Will document to enable you all inspect the key elements for authenticity."

He handed a copy to Josh, then to Rose, and finally to Rino. They each opened the document.

The first thing Rino saw was the official seal bearing the Carter Family insignia.

The signature of their late father was encrypted in bold ink, beneath it on the final page.

Immediately below the Vendor’s specified signature, were that of the witnesses—Dr. Eldred Vaughn and Louise Grant.

Legal notary stamp, was placed with a serial number at the bottom.

And finally, the paper was watermarked using the only Carter Family’s registered firm.

Josh gave out a slight nod, while Rose collected the cup of wine she had left before her and took a sip absent-mindedly.

They found nothing to contest.

"All appear satisfied?" Hollister asked.

"Apparently," Josh said curtly.

"Proceed," Rose said, tapping her manicured nails on the stem of her glass.

Rino only gave a small nod.

"Then, please," the lawyer gestured to the second page, "...let’s start with the distribution of assets, responsibilities, and the wishes of Late Chairman Carter."

"..."

"..."

There was silence for a short while, before Hollister cleared his throat, and started speaking again.