Livia Frye-Cudahy looked up from the document she had been reviewing and regarded the couple seated before her desk with interest. The easy camaraderie between Zach and Kendall was missing on this occasion, replaced by a palpable tension. Even their entwined fingers exuded tension in the tightness of their grip.
"Well…" Kendall said expectantly at Livia's continued silence.
"If Ethan did not change his will from the one made at the behest of the Cambias board when he and Bianca first took over the company then there is nothing to worry about. Ethan left his entire estate to Miranda and named Bianca as trustee of that share as well. The only decision that would be left to you is whether or not to pursue your claim to the estate, but…" Livia paused.
"I have no interest in taking anything from Miranda. If the estate is placed in Bianca's care for her, then you may immediately withdraw my petition," Zach stated softly without looking at his wife. This was his decision, and it was irrevocable. He felt certain that she would agree but that discussion was best left until later.
"Just as I expected," Livia replied. "However, there is every chance that Ethan has changed his will. I have a copy of the first one as I was representing him at that time, however, his new attorneys may have insisted on some changes considering the animosity between him and Bianca… not to mention your petition."
"Who else could he leave it to, Livia? I mean family is in pretty short supply on the Cambias side… and no one has found a relative of his mother," Kendall said.
"That's what we're here to find out, Kendall. I believe there is a new will because Ethan's attorneys requested a television and video-cassette recorder for the reading. My guess is that Ethan was not satisfied with the legal document but wanted a personal statement as well," Livia replied.
"Livia… there's something that you need to know before we go into that meeting," Zach said. "Some new information has come to light regarding Ethan's parentage."
"Zach… the eleventh hour is not the time to be coming up with new information. No matter what you may see on television or the movies, legal matters don't turn on surprise evidence," Livia answered firmly. "Besides, this is a will reading and we'll have to go through that formality regardless. If you believe that your information is relevant to Ethan's ability to bequeath Cambias Industries, then it will have to be pursued in court."
"If Miranda is the sole heir and Bianca or another suitable trustee is named, then our information will never leave this room. However, if Ethan threatens Miranda in any way then we will need to pursue this issue – quietly."
"Very well, Zach, you have my full attention," Livia answered. After quickly checking her watch she gave him a piercing look and said, "We have about ten minutes before we're expected in the conference room."
Before Zach could continue Kendall blurted out, "We don't think that Ethan is Zach's son after all."
Livia sat back in her chair, the surprise evident on her face, "Well… that's quite a claim. What kind of proof do you have to back it up? And how do you fight the DNA evidence?"
"When we were arranging for Ethan's burial, Kendall pointed out his birth date. I had never known it," Zach said quietly. "He was born on August 10… which means that I cannot be his father. His mother and I were together only one summer, and I never saw her again after I returned to boarding school – in September of the previous year. The DNA evidence would indicate that he's either the child of Michael or my father… but Ethan is not my son."
"Honestly, Zach, if he's Michael's son… nothing's changed except that you get to declare he's your nephew instead of your son. He'd still be a grandchild and entitled to the estate under the terms of your father's will," Livia responded. "However, if he was your half-brother… then we could make a case that Miranda is the only true heir… or return to our original petition. But we'd have to prove it… and we'd need hard evidence, not just your word about the last time you had… um, relations… with Ethan's mother."
"But it's important for people to know that Zach wasn't Ethan's father…" Kendall interrupted.
Zach laid his hand on her arm, "No, it's only important to protect Miranda. I know the truth and that is enough for me. I will only expose him to that kind of scrutiny if he uses his will to harm our niece. He is still my family, and I caused him nothing but pain."
"You're more generous than I am, Zach," Kendall said with an obstinate look. "I'll keep silent for now, but if he goes after Miranda then I refuse to stay quiet."
"Kendall," Livia said urgently, "promise me that you won't say anything today. Give us the advantage should we need to use this information in the future."
Kendall looked at Livia mutinously, "All right… I'd rather have it out, but I'll do whatever it takes to protect Miranda… and Zach."
Zach looked at Kendall warmly and she returned his regard in the same manner. He knew from her expression that she would be as good as her word, and would carefully guard her tongue in the coming meeting. He only wished that he could have a good feeling that the battles were over instead of being certain that Ethan had found a new way to torment them all.
"Well, that's it for now," Livia announce, pushing her chair back from the desk. "It's time to take our places in the conference room. I allowed Ethan's attorneys to set up in there and they have taken care of inviting the appropriate parties. I guess it's time to go see who Ethan wanted present at the reading of his will."
Livia stood while Zach and Kendall joined her, following her the short distance to the elegantly appointed conference room that she maintained for large meetings and depositions. She motioned for Zach and Kendall to precede her into the room while she checked with her secretary to make sure that any latecomers would be announced discreetly.
Zach had never relinquished Kendall's hand as they walked down the hall and they entered the room hand-in-hand, presenting a very united front. The first person they spied upon entering was Bianca who had saved two seats next to her while Jackson Montgomery was seated on her other side. The opposite side of the table was occupied by three men they had never seen before, obviously Ethan's attorneys. Livia entered the room and was pulling the door shut when it was pulled open from behind. She looked up in surprise as JR Chandler entered the room.
"Sorry I'm late," JR said jovially. "Is this everyone? Is it time to get started? I can't wait to find out what Ethan thought we all deserved."
"Have a seat, JR," Livia said coolly, as she seated herself next to Zach. She waited a moment for JR to find a seat across the table before continuing, "Mr. Dunbar, this is your show. I will turn the proceedings over to you."
"Thank you, Ms. Frye, for the hospitality of your office. My client, the late Ethan Cambias, requested that his last will and testament be read in Pine Valley and that the following persons be in attendance, Bianca Montgomery, Alexander Cambias, Jr., also known as Zachary Slater, Kendall Hart Slater, and Adam Chandler Jr. Since everyone is present, I believe we may proceed," the attorney said to the room at large.
"Wait a minute," Bianca said. "I know that several members of the Cambias Industries Board of Directors flew in to attend Ethan's funeral and this meeting. Why have they been excluded?"
"Mr. Cambias specifically requested that only named beneficiaries and their legal counsel be part of this proceeding. I have notified the board members that copies will be provided to them at a later date, Ms. Montgomery," Dunbar answered.
"Well… what do you know? Looks like Ethan and I were even better friends than I thought! I guess I'm a beneficiary, too!" exclaimed JR in a combination of delight and sarcasm. "I just can't wait to see what my pal left to me."
Jackson Montgomery commented before anyone else could retort, "My, my, my, this is going to be interesting… shall we proceed?"
"Thank you," the attorney answered. "As you know, Mr. Cambias became our client approximately six weeks ago. We were in the process of defending against a claim on his share of Cambias Industries that had been brought by his father, Alexander Cambias Jr., otherwise known as Zachary Slater. Mr. Cambias also felt that it was prudent to remake his will at that time due to certain changes in his relationship with Ms. Bianca Montgomery, the trustee and guardian for his partner and cousin, the minor child Miranda Montgomery."
"Yes, we know all of this and the change in will does not surprise us," Livia answered. "Please get to the actual reading without further preamble."
Dunbar answered, "Very well… in addition to the legal document, my client prepared a video tape to explain his various bequests. If there are no further questions, I will play the tape for you now."
One of the other attorneys stepped over to the waiting television set and turned on the video tape. Immediately the screen was filled with a shot of Ethan's head and shoulders, a broad smile on his face as if he was thoroughly enjoying himself.
"Hello… Dad, so nice of you to make it. If you're viewing this tape then I guess I've joined Uncle Michael in the Pine Valley Landfill… or did you spring for a nice plot in the cemetery? Kendall… still trying to pretend you're in love with dear old dad? He's really not worth it, you know. And Bianca… my one true friend. You promised to be there for me and with me, to run Cambias together as a legacy for Miranda… it sure didn't take you long to turn your back on me, did it? JR… so glad you could make it. I'm sure you'll find the proceedings to be very profitable. Now then… let's get down to what you're all waiting for… the disposition of my estate," Ethan said on the videotape, the sarcastic grin on his face only getting larger as he laughed at the assembled group.
Kendall suppressed a shiver as she looked at Zach, who was wearing an undecipherable expression. She only hesitated a moment before saying, "Stop it! Turn it off, right now! This is sick and perverted and I don't want anything to do with it!"