Chapter 4 - The Silver Lighter
General Reed reached into his dark blue service coat and pulled out an antique silver lighter—a prized heirloom that Grandfather William had carried through two combat tours in Vietnam.
Taped neatly underneath the silver lighter was a small, folded handwritten note stamped with the official seal of the Department of Military Affairs.
General Reed stepped forward and gently handed the silver lighter and the note directly to Clarissa.
"Your grandfather wanted you to have this," General Reed said softly. "He made sure it was delivered to you in person before any corporate documents were executed."
Julian stepped forward frantically, his handsome face twisting in sudden greed. "Wait! That lighter belongs to the family estate! Grandfather promised his entire military collection and his real estate holdings to ME!"
"Your grandfather knew you were a greedy, incompetent coward, Julian," General Reed countered with icy authority. "Which is why forty-eight hours before his passing, he modified his master trust in the presence of federal military JAG attorneys."
Arthur’s heart hammered against his ribs as he stared at the folded note resting under the silver lighter in Clarissa’s hands.
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A terrifying realization began to dawn on him: his late father had never trusted him or Julian with the family's true wealth.
👉 Read Part 5 to learn what was written inside the folded note.
