Chapter 238 Reading of the Will

Chapter 238 Reading of the Will

However, Huo Jinzhou was looking in the direction of the hallway, somewhat distracted.

Yun Mu had gone upstairs a long time ago, and soon after, the old butler followed. Could something have happened up there?

The old man's passing was suspicious, and he couldn't help but have doubts.

Could it be...

Huo Jinzhou dared not think further.

He had already missed the only chance to thwart Huo Tingying, and he could not afford any mistakes now.

Lawyer Qin cleared his throat, temporarily interrupting everyone's rich inner monologues.

The old man's disposal of his fixed assets was relatively fair. The majority of the properties and estates were left to Huo Jinzhou and his mother, while the rest were divided among other branches of the Huo family, satisfying everyone.

Li Yunlan smiled contentedly, casting a sidelong glance at Huo Tingying across from her.

In the old man's will, not a single property was left for Huo Tingying, except for the lakeside villa, which was purchased by Yi Qinglan years ago.

She had originally thought that after loving him for over twenty years, the old man would at least leave him more properties and cars.

Unexpectedly, he left nothing.

As for the cash and investments in the old man's bank account, they were also left to Huo Jinzhou and his mother.

However...

Why did the will make no mention of the Huo family's eldest daughter, Huo Mingying?

The old man had doted on this adopted daughter since she was young; how could he leave her nothing?

Li Yunlan and Huo Jinzhou exchanged glances.

Just then, Huo Mingying walked to the stairwell corner, hearing the inheritance distribution, and gave a pale smile.

Huo Tingying lifted his gaze, his eyes sharp as knives.

"What, do you have any objections to the old man's will?"

Huo Mingying met the slightly sympathetic gazes of the others, shook her head, and said softly, "I have no objections. Please continue."

"Just an adopted daughter. The old man has raised her for so many years, which is already a great kindness. Not leaving her any inheritance is understandable," Li Yunlan glanced at Huo Mingying and urged, "Lawyer Qin, please continue reading the equity distribution of the Huo Group."

The rest of the Huo family were also waiting for this moment.

Second Uncle Huo anxiously said, "Yes, what did the old man say about the shares he held, plus those given back by Huo Tingying and Yun Mu?"

Second Uncle Huo and Third Uncle Huo had already discussed it: if the old man favored his own grandson and left all the shares to Huo Jinzhou, they would join forces today to fight and reclaim their rightful share!

Why should the benefits of the group go entirely to the direct line?

This was the modern era; why still cling to the outdated distinctions between legitimate and illegitimate heirs?

Lawyer Qin glanced at Second Uncle Huo and continued reading the will.

Everyone listened intently.

Finally, their faces changed.

Huo Jinzhou's expression grew increasingly grim until Lawyer Qin finished reading the last word and closed the will.

"Did everyone hear clearly? If you have any doubts, feel free to raise them."

"Of course we do!" Li Yunlan drew a sharp breath and stood up angrily, "The old man only gave me and Jinzhou a combined 20% of the shares. Ignoring the shares Huo Tingying and Yun Mu didn't give back, the old man actually gave another part to Huo Tingying, making their total 45%, the largest holding in the Huo Group! How can this be?"

Not only did the old man not weaken Huo Tingying's position in the Huo Group, he even increased his stake!

How could this be?!

Second Uncle Huo immediately jumped up.

"What kind of nonsense is this will? Huo Tingying, an outsider, shouldn't be appointed chairman of the Huo Group!"

Third Uncle Huo also couldn't sit still, "What madness is this? This is the Huo family's property, meant for Huo family members, not some random people!"

Lawyer Qin, prepared for this reaction, calmly looked at everyone, "This is the will established by Mr. Huo before his passing. Every allocation was dictated by him."

Li Yunlan blurted out, "The old man would never establish such a will! It's absurd!"

Huo Jinzhou coldly glanced at Huo Tingying and turned to Lawyer Qin, "Lawyer Qin, you know the current situation of the Huo family. There are significant issues with my grandfather's will. I suspect someone tampered with it."

Lawyer Qin chuckled, "I brought witnesses who were present when the old man established the will, and we recorded the entire process, making it legally binding. If Second Young Master Huo has any doubts, you can consult your lawyer. I guarantee this will is fair and valid, with no possibility of tampering."

Several witnesses immediately nodded in agreement.

Huo Jinzhou gritted his teeth, "It's possible that Grandfather was confused due to illness. He might have forgotten that Huo Tingying is not his biological grandson. How could he entrust the century-old legacy of the Huo family to an outsider?"

Lawyer Qin repeated his stance, suggesting consulting a lawyer if dissatisfied.

Li Yunlan, furious, her eyes red, pointed at Huo Tingying, "Huo Tingying! What did you do? What did you say to the old man in the hospital? Your mother took away my husband, and now you want to take away my son's inheritance? Are you human?!"

Third Uncle Huo also turned red-eyed.

"We don't recognize this will! Huo Tingying is not a member of the Huo family. Handing the Huo Group to him means only one outcome: becoming a subsidiary of the Emperor Group, eventually being swallowed up!"

Third Uncle Huo's words struck a chord with everyone.

What do those properties and cash amount to?

The Huo Group is the real prize!

If the Huo Group no longer bears the Huo name and ceases to exist, where will their wealth and glory come from?

"Exactly! Our Huo Group must never fall into the hands of outsiders!"

"We won't accept this will!"

Lawyer Qin's face remained cold. "Whether you accept it or not, this will has legal standing. All property distribution within the Huo family will be carried out according to its terms."

After saying this, Lawyer Qin turned to Huo Tingying.

"Young Master, I have fulfilled Old Mr. Huo's instructions. I hope you will honor your promise to him."

Huo Tingying's narrow eyes flickered. What Old Mr. Huo left him was not the family's wealth but a binding obligation.

This generation of the Huo family's descendants is incompetent, unlike the Yun brothers, each one outstanding and capable of upholding the family's prosperity.

That was why the old man wanted him to forever protect the Huo Group.

From now on, the Huo family would be tied to him no matter what.

However, that old man had raised him for over twenty years, and he could not refuse his only request.

He spoke calmly, "Rest assured, I will."

Lawyer Qin nodded. "Goodbye."

Then, he turned and left with the group.