The will

“What on earth are you looking at? Drive!” Chantelle instructed her driver. ‘How could he humiliate me like that? In the presence of his low-life staff!’ She was in a fuming rage, recalling the words Noah had spoken to her.

“Chantelle, there is no way on earth you can replace Sophia, you don’t come close in any aspect. I suggest you reevaluate yourself. Know your place.”

‘Replace that wench?” she screamed, throwing a tantrum in her car.

It was all because of Sophia Milton. Even with all the horrible things Chantelle had told Noah, he still liked Sophia. If Chantelle knew it was going to turn out the way it did, she would never had referred Sophia for the role of executive assistant.

Chantelle had always had a crush on Noah ever since they were little. To the extent that her father almost suggested to George Milton that both of them get married at such a young age. Noah never saw her as anything more than a sister, and friend.

She tried her best, year after year to impress Noah. Without a shadow of doubt, Chantelle loved Sophia, but her obsession with Noah Milton was more powerful. When Noah said he was looking for an assistant, Sophia was the only person that came to mind.

It was because of how much debt Sophia was in, and how competent she would be at the job. Back then, Chantelle didn’t know just how effective Sophia would be, both on the job, and at seducing her life-long crush.

Noah didn’t like girls of lower class, he always had a type and Sophia wasn’t it. Even if he never touched any of the girls he was with, she was certain he wouldn’t even cast a glance in Sophia’s direction. Sophia was beautiful, but Chantelle doubted her physical features would sway Noah Milton, especially because of her background.

Months went by, and Noah became infuriated. He was angry because of her resemblance to his ex. But what pissed him off the most was her professionalism. She never fawned over him like every other girl he had met. It made her unique, and seemingly unattainable.

So when Sophia had come to him for an advance, he took the first and only opportunity presented to him. She was innocent, and fresh out of college. A competent young lady, with emerald green eyes. Chantelle was enraged.

She had everything, from brains, to looks, and now the most eligible man in all of LA.

“Hello, Stella. Cancel it! Cancel it all!” Chantelle spoke over the phone in a steamy rage.

“Ma’am, it’s all been paid for, if we cancel it now, you wouldn’t be able to get your money back.”

“I don’t care Stella,” she threw the phone across the car, causing it to dent her windows. Her driver shot a concerning look through the rear mirror and moved his eyes back to the road.

‘If I can’t be happy, why should she?’ Chantelle whispered to herself.

***

“Again? A dead end?” Noah screamed his lungs out. Savannah had long given up on the Sophia chase. It had been over a month they had been searching.

Savannah Windsor gave Noah a military contact to bother instead of calling her incessantly . She couldn’t understand Noah at all. A girl who he treated horribly, now he wants her back? Savannah’s phone had been going off the whole day. She finally picked up the call.

“Hey Savannah.” Noah called her causally.

“I know why you’re calling Noah, there’s no news yet. She was last seen at the airport, then arrived in Florida at a small apartment. Now, there’s no trace of her.” Savannah informed, stating all the details he had heard before. That didn’t seem to satisfy Noah. He was anxious.

He wanted nothing more than Sophia by his side. Noah heard footsteps approaching his office door before a soft knock and an even softer voice followed. “Mr. Milton, James Anderson is here,” Sarah said.

“I’ll be right down,” he informed her.

“I’ll call you back, stay beside your phone.” Noah said to Savannah before going to the living area to meet the rest of his family.

George Milton’s attorney, James Anderson had arrived at the Milton mansion for the will reading. The whole family was gathered: Heather Milton, Noah’s mother, Tanya Milton, Noah’s sister, and Jeffery Milton, Noah’s step-brother.

Jeffery Milton was always in and out of town, and most times, he was under an allies. He didn’t answer his name. The Milton name was something he answered on paper. Not many people knew about George Milton’s illegitimate son, Jeffery. Apart from Gerald Buford and Savannah Windsor, no one else in Noah’s friend group knew about him.

It was a secret George Milton kept. Jeffery Milton was never his greatest accomplishment, and he had no problem at showing it. Jeffery was a product of drunken seduction, so George never really liked him much.

“Shall I begin?” James Anderson inquired.

“Yes,” everyone chorused. After an hour, he had finally gotten to the part everyone was hoping for. Everyone was itching to know their fate and what would befall the Milton group.

Harriet, Tanya, Jeffery and Noah Milton were given 15% of the company shares each, but there was one sentence that could make or mar Noah.

His father added a final clause. Noah must be married and have at least one successor by his father’s 6th year death anniversary. If he is not able to meet this condition, his additional 15% would be give to Jeffery making him major shareholder of the Milton group.

That title would give him the power to make major decisions within the group. Noah sat in stunned disbelief. His father knew that he planned to divorce Sophia. He also knew that Jeffery was a money grubber and adding this clause in his will would make Noah do his bidding.

Even in death George Milton had the upper hand. Noah needed to find Sophia, and he needed to increase his pace.