Blind Billionaire Catches Greedy Sister-in-Law Stealing His Fortune — Part 3 of 3

The Truth in the Will and the Final Reckoning

Three weeks later, the Sterling family lawyer, Harold Pemberton, called a meeting at the manor. The library had been restored to order, the vault sealed, and the police had finished their investigation. Tiffany was in jail, awaiting trial for embezzlement, attempted murder, and conspiracy.

Sophie sat beside Arthur, dressed in a simple navy dress, her hair neatly brushed. She looked older than her six years, her eyes carrying a weight no child should bear.

Harold spread a thick document across the desk. "As you know, Mr. Sterling's brother left a will. But what you don't know is that there was a codicil—a secret addition—that only I knew about."

Arthur leaned forward. "A codicil?"

"Yes," Harold said. "It was written just days before the accident. Your brother suspected foul play, and he wanted to protect his daughter. He stipulated that if anything happened to him and his wife, the entire estate—including the shipping company—would go into a trust for Sophie, with you as sole guardian. But there was a condition."

"What condition?" Sophie asked, her voice small.

Harold looked at her with gentle eyes. "The condition was that the trust would only be activated if you, Arthur, could prove that you were not the one responsible for your brother's death."

Arthur's face went pale. "He suspected me?"

"He suspected everyone," Harold said. "But he trusted you most of all. He knew that if you were innocent, you would never take a cent without protecting Sophie. And if you were guilty, well... the trust would go to charity, and you would get nothing."

Arthur let out a shaky breath. "I'm glad I passed the test."

Harold smiled. "You passed with flying colors. The ledger, the camera footage, your testimony—all of it proved your innocence. And now, the trust is fully yours to manage for Sophie's benefit."

Sophie looked up at Arthur with tear-filled eyes. "Uncle Arthur... does this mean we're a family?"

Arthur's voice was thick with emotion. "We always were, sweetheart. We just had to fight for it."

Harold cleared his throat. "There's one more thing. Tiffany's trial is set for next month. Her lawyer has been trying to negotiate a plea deal, but the evidence is overwhelming. She's looking at twenty years to life."

"Good," Arthur said firmly. "She deserves every minute."

Sophie tugged on his sleeve. "Uncle Arthur, can we visit my parents' grave tomorrow? I want to tell them we're okay."

Arthur's heart ached. "Of course we can. And we'll bring flowers, like they used to do."