CHAPTER 4: Documents

Diana Stallard Preface

The Words of Uncle Silas were ringing in my mind again and again.

Don't let Anthony know about our little arrangement.

To tell the truth I also noticed that something was wrong with my uncle and his attitude. The day my father left this world, my uncle gripped the external and internal affairs of Preface in his hands. However, I was too drowned in my own sorrow to notice anything.

He didn't let me meet any of the visitors. Not that I knew about it before Uncle Silas pointed it out.

My father left all his property in my name and my uncle didn't get a single penny of it.

I noticed a change in his attitude from the time he came to know that I got the whole property and he didn't get anything.

He is a half-brother of my father, from the same father but a different mother. My father got nothing in his inheritance and was a self-made successful billionaire businessman. By any right, my uncle cannot ask for his share in the inheritance. It was more than enough for my father to give him the position of Director in his company despite all his sinister acts.

The matter of inheritance is still hanging in the air. I am bound to the condition that I cannot claim the property until I got 23 and get married. These conditions were written and mandatory.

Due to all my thoughts, the path from Preface Enterprise Building to the home passed in a blink.

Reaching the Preface mansion, I hurried to my room to sort out my books related to business management to get prepared for my education.

I picked up my books and opened my closet to take out my bag when I heard a knock on the door.

"Come in," I said and a woman came in whom I didn't know. 'A new maid perhaps' i thought.

"Yes?" I asked.

"Mr Preface is asking for you, Miss Preface." she said and added, "He is in his office."

"I'll be there in a minute," I said keeping the last book in my bag.

"Vey well, Miss Preface." She said and left the room.

I zipped my bag which was lying on the bed. leaving the bag there I strode towards the location where the office of my uncle is situated.

'Why did uncle call for me in his office? and that too after the announcement of will.' The thoughts kept running in my mind when I reached the door of his office. I want to listen to him and what he wants to say this time.

I knocked at the door in calculating strikes.

"Enter!", a cold voice came out of the room which was probably of my uncle and I entered and walked in front of the desk on which he was working.

My uncle was sitting there with cold expressions on his face, focused on the documents in his hand. Then I noticed a few people who were sitting there so I greeted them and earned a nod in response.

He lifted his head and gestured for me to sit. "Diana, you have known about your father's will?" he said.

"Yes.", I said.

"Now that there are still six months left in your 23rd birthday, I wanted to tell you that you can hand over the company to me temporarily until then.", he placed the documents in front of me. "These are some documents that you can sign to transfer authority to me. Of course, this is temporary."

I looked at the papers which came into my view. The heading read as transfer of authority. I lifted my gaze from the papers and looked at him.

Now I understood the situation. These people and documents are all drama in order to get the authority from my hands.

I looked at the documents again "Is it necessary uncle?" I asked innocently like I don't know anything.

The people in this room think of me as an obedient little sheep whom they can manipulate as they wish. Let me tell you I am not as obedient as he thinks of me.

"Most certainly. The absence of Patriarch for the whole six months has caused tension in our workforce. This step is extremely necessary to relieve this situation. After six months, they will get the permanent heir, of course." he explained with honey-coated words.

"If that's the case then" I took the documents and stood up, "I'll read the documents in the evening and then tell you about my decision.", I said and saw the panic on his face.

This was the first thing that I learned from my father that a businessman should always read the document before making any further decision.

I must read the document. Needless to say, I don't want to sign it or give the company that is built with the hard work of my father, to anyone.

"But we have a flight to Italy in the next hour and you are coming with me there. Before that you must sign it.", he almost ordered me like he was scolding a little child "The flight will take more than 12 hours to reach there so you must hurry."

"Is my presence necessary?" I asked reluctantly. I really don't want to go there now.

His expression turned serious and he said "This deal was a dream of your father. He worked hard to expand Preface Enterprise in Italy. If you'll not come then we'll not be able to sign this deal."

"This is very important for the company. We have to get the deal there," he added.

He knows that this company is very important to me. So, he used this tactic.

"Alright then I'll come.", I said with a fake smile on my face to which he sighed in relief.

"And Documents?" He asked when I stood from my seat.

"I'll sign it during the flight," I replied passively. I have no intentions of doing such things. Not that he should know about it

"Sure.", he said with a calm expression.

"Then excuse me. I have to pack my stuff for the flight.", I greeted them all and left the room.