The Richest Woman in the World

by Timothy Paterson

  Before Jim headed to the boarding gates, Sam hugged him once more and said; “I love you, Grandpa, and I will miss you so much when you are gone.” When she let go of Jim, Sam noticed that he had tears in his eyes as well.

  Chapter 15

  After graduation, Both Vicky and Sam got jobs at a local family owned restaurant to earn money for college. Billy got a job as a lifeguard at the local swimming pool. Their jobs were in addition to their chores on the farm.

  In August, Billy, Vicky and Sam all headed to the University of West Virginia. Sam loved college, and was eager to learn. She saw Billy every day and they became even closer. Billy, Vicky and Sam went home every weekend, and on holidays.

  The school year flew by, and when the school year was over, Billy proposed to Sam. She accepted immediately. She was never so sure of anything in her life, as she was of the fact that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. They decided to wait until she graduated from college to get married. When Billy asked Sam if she could wait three years to get married, she replied; “Billy, I could wait a lifetime, for I will always love you.

  When Billy and Sam told his family the good news, they were ecstatic. On the day that Billy proposed, she called her great grandfather, and told him the good news. They talked for over two hours. Unfortunately, that was the last time that Sam would ever talk to him. Jim McDonald died in his sleep one week later at the age of ninety-three.

  When Sam and Vicky got home from the restaurant after their shift was over, they found a gentleman in a suit waiting to speak with Sam. He introduced himself as her great-grandfather’s attorney. When he informed Sam of Jim’s death, she began sobbing uncontrollably. Billy tried to comfort her, but she was inconsolable.

  Since graduation, Sam and her great-grandfather had become even closer. They emailed each other every day, and talked on the phone at least once a day. He was the only member of her family who understood her, and whom she loved with all of her heart.

  Sam felt so sad and alone. Jim’s attorney; Mr. Billings gave all of the details of Jim’s funeral to Mrs. Wilkerson, because he realized that Sam was in no condition to discuss it.Before he headed back to California, Mr. Billings told Sam how much her great grandfather talked about her. “He loved you very much,” he said. “You brought so much happiness to his life, especially during these past couple of years.” Mr. Billings told Sam that he promised Jim that he would personally break the news to her when the time came. Before he left for the airport, Mr. Billings hugged Sam.

  For the rest of the evening, Sam cried and became more depressed. Billy, Vicky and Mrs. Wilkerson all tried to comfort her, but with little success. She finally cried herself to sleep, shortly after midnight.

  When Sam woke up the next morning, she thought it had just been a bad dream, but when Mrs. Wilkerson asked her how she was feeling, Sam knew that it was not a dream. She knew that her great-grandfather was gone. As Sam looked at the information that Mr. Billings had left for her, she saw that the funeral would be on Tuesday, which was only three days away. Billy insisted on going with her to California with her, and they made travel arrangements.

  Chapter 16

  As Billy and Sam boarded the plane on Monday morning, Sam felt very strange. It had been over three years since she left California, and she was returning as a completely different person. During the flight, Billy tried to take Sam’s mind off the funeral, by talking about college and the farm.

  When they landed in Los Angeles, Billy and Sam rented a car and drove to the hotel, where Mr. Billings had reserved two rooms for them. After they checked into their rooms, Sam decided to give Billy a tour of the neighborhood where she grew up. As they drove past her parent’s mansion, Sam was disgusted by the show of extravagance.

  By the time, they returned to the hotel, it was late afternoon. Sam and Billy had a quiet dinner and then, Billy escorted Sam to her room, where he kissed he goodnight. Billy then returned to his room and turned in for the night. It had been a long day, and they had to be up early the next day for the viewing and the funeral.

  The next morning, after getting dressed, Billy and Sam met in the lobby. After a quick breakfast, they headed to the church where the funeral was to be held.

  When Sam first saw her parents at the church, she was appalled. All of the mourners at the church were dressed in black suits or dresses, all that is, except for Sam’s mother, wore a bright yellow designer dress, which stood out in the crowd, which Sam assumed she had hoped for.

  Sam promised herself that she would be civil towards her family, for the sake of her great-grandfather. When it was Sam’s turn to pay her last respects, she became nervous. With Billy at her side, Sam walked up to the open casket and looked down at the body of her great-grandfather. She touched his hand, and it felt cold. She reached down and straightened his tie and then she said goodbye for the last time, while trying not to cry. Billy put his arm around Sam, and they walked away.

  Sam was not paying attention to where she was going, and almost bumped into somebody. When she turned to apologize, she saw that the person was Maggie Duncan, her childhood nanny. The two women hugged and Sam introduced her to Billy. Sam was so glad to see Maggie, as she had been the one woman in her life, besides Mrs. Wilkerson, whom Sam had a strong attachment to. Maggie was Sam’s nanny for sixteen years. She had comforted her and cared for her when her mother was out shopping, playing tennis, or just being the center of attention at some cultural event.

  Before the funeral service began, Mr. Billings informed her that the reading of her great-grandfather’s will would take place at his the office the following day. Sam had not even thought about the will. She was about to tell the lawyer that she did not plan to be there, when Mr. Billings told her, that her great-grandfather wanted her to be there. Sam reluctantly agreed.

  Sam cried during the funeral, and again at the graveside during the burial, with Billy holding her the entire time. Afterwards, a reception was held at the exclusive country club where her parents and grandparents were members. Reluctantly, Sam and Billy decided to attend. Sam knew that it was a mistake, after she saw that her parents and grandparents were using the occasion to put themselves in the limelight. After thirty minutes, Sam told Billy that she could not watch her family pretending to grieve any longer, and they left. On the way out, Sam told Mr. Billings that they would see him at his office, the following morning. Sam’s ‘so-called’ family did not even notice that she was gone, until an hour later.

  Chapter 17

  The next morning, as Billy and Sam drove to Mr. Billings’ office, Billy asked Sam if she had any idea what her she thought her great –grandfather might have left her. “I don’t want anything. The memories that I have of him are enough for me,” she said. “I hope that he left everything to charity. His family does not deserve anything from him. All they care about is money.”

  “Just how wealthy was he?” asked Billy.

  “I’m not sure,” said Sam. “I know that it was over a billion dollars.”

  When they arrived at Mr. Billing’s office, his secretary told Sam and Billy to go ahead into the conference room. Sam’s parents, grandparents and Mr. Billings were already seated around the table when they entered the room.

  “What is he doing here?” asked Sam’s mother, pointing to Billy.

  “Well “said Sam, “he is my fiancé.” Billy sensed the tension in the room and he told Sam that he would wait in the outer office.

  Before Sam could say anything to her mother, Sam’s father began speaking to her. He offered Sam the use of his attorney and financial adviser, “In case Grandpa left you anything in his will,” he said.

  Mr. Billings brought the meeting to order. He told Sam and her family that Mr. James McDonald signed the will, one week before he died. He then opened the document and began reading it aloud:

  “To my o
nly son, Henry McDonald, I leave the sum of two billion dollars. To my only grandson, Alexander McDonald, I leave the sum of two billion dollars. I leave the rest of my estate, including; all land holdings, stocks and bonds, and other investments and cash, to my only great-granddaughter, Samantha McDonald.”

  Sam was stunned, but she loved looking at the stunned looks on the faces of her family members. “Exactly what is the value of the rest of his estate?” asked Sam.

  “As of yesterday afternoon” said Mr. Billings, “Mr. McDonald’s estate was worth eleven and a half billion dollars.”

  Sam’s mother was furious. “The old man had to be insane to leave everything to a young girl.”

  “We will fight this in court,” said Sam’s father. “You’ll be hearing from our lawyers by tomorrow morning.

  “You would go against Grandpa Jim’s wishes?” asked Sam.

  Sam’s parents and grandparents did not reply. They just stormed out of the room.

  After they left, Billy rejoined Sam in the room. Sam was speaking to Mr. Billings. “I’m sorry for my family’s behavior. They will keep fighting this until they win, no matter how much it disgraces my great-grandfather’s memory.”

  Mr. Billings just smiled and said; “Don’t worry about it, Sam. Your Great grandfather was a very wise man. He knew how greedy and ruthless they could be. Trust me, Sam; it is going to turn out just fine. However, promise me that you will be in the courtroom when this case goes before a judge. You will not want to miss it.”

  Before Sam left, she asked Mr. Billings to do some legal work for her. “Grandpa Jim told me that he respected you and trusted you completely,” she told him. I would like to hire you to draft up some papers for me. I have decided what I want to do with whatever I eventually inherit, and I would like for you to draw up the paperwork for me.”

  Mr. Billings agreed to take Sam on as a client, but refused to charge her any fees, out of respect for her great-grandfather, and because she and Jim were so much alike.

  Over the next two hours, Sam and Mr. Billings discussed her plans for her inheritance. When they were finished, Mr. Billings suggested that Sam and Billy remain in California for the next week or so and just enjoy themselves. He told Sam that with all of the political connections that her parents and grandparents had, and their greed, that they would get the hearing scheduled as soon as possible.

  Since Sam now had full access to her trust fund now, money was not a problem. She gave Mr. Billings her cell phone number, so that he could call her as soon as court date was scheduled for the hearing.

  Mr. Billings suggested that Sam and Billy drive up to Northern California and see the beautiful countryside and the historical sites. Sam thanked Mr. Billings and after giving him a hug, she and Billy headed back to the hotel.

  When they were back in the car, Billy told Sam that he loved what she planned to do with the inheritance. Then he asked, “By the way, just how much did you inherit?”

  “Well, if this will stands up in court” said Sam, I will inherit over seven billion dollars.”

  Billy just sat there with his mouth hanging open, not saying anything. He was literally speechless.

  Over the next several days, Billy and Sam toured San Francisco, Hollywood, and the Napa wine country, and parts of Northern California.

  Chapter 18

  When Mr. Billings finally called Sam, he told them to start heading back to Beverly Hills, because the hearing would take place two days later.

  Billy and Sam arrived at Mr. Billing’s office two hours before the hearing was scheduled to begin. Sam asked him what time the chances of the will being declared invalid. Sam was very confused by his answer.

  “If everything goes according to plan, the will would definitely be declared invalid.” Before Sam could question his logic, he added; “Your great grandfather was a very smart man. His plan was absolutely brilliant. Just you wait and see.”

  Sam and Billy rode along with Mr. Billings to the courthouse. As they walked into the courtroom, Sam could see that her parents and grandparents looked quite confident that they would win their case, and that the Grandpa’s will would be declared invalid.

  As the hearing progressed, two doctors who had been treating James McDonald prior to his death testified that he was confused and disoriented during the week before he signed the will. After hearing a few more witnesses, the judge asked Sam if she had anything to add to the case. Sam asked the judge if she could address her family. With the approval of the judge, Sam asked her parents and grandparents to drop the lawsuit and honor Jim’s last wishes. They all smiled at her, but remained silent.

  The judge retired to his chambers, to decide the case. When he returned a short while later, he addressed the courtroom. “It is the ruling of this court that James McDonald was not in his right mind when he signed this last will and testament. Therefore, this court has no choice, but to declare this document null and void.”

  As soon as the judge made his ruling, the lawyer for the McDonald family, submitted a document to the judge. It was a will that Jim McDonald had signed five years earlier. He handed a copy of the document to Mr. Billings. As Sam read the document, she saw that the document left virtually everything to her father, and grandfather, and left only ten million dollars in a trust fund for Sam. After Sam read the document, she looked over at her mother, who was grinning like a cat who just ate the canary.

  As their lawyer was trying to convince the judge to make the will from five years the last valid will, Mr. Billings stood up and addressed the judge. “Excuse me, your honor, but since, the most recent will has been declared invalid by the court, then I submit this will, which is already filed with the court records, to be the most recent will, as it was written two years ago. He handed the document to the bailiff, who in turn, handed it to the judge. The judge verified James McDonald’s signature on the document, then he proceeded to read it. Meanwhile, the bailiff called the clerk of records, to make sure that there were no other wills on file with the courthouse.

  When the judge read the document, he asked Mr. Billings if he could verify that the witnesses’ signatures were authentic. Mr. Billings informed the judge that five of the people who witnessed Jim McDonald signing the will were just outside the courtroom. They were invited into the courtroom, and each of them testified that it was indeed their signature, and that they did indeed witness Jim McDonald’s signature. In addition, two of the witnesses were psychiatrists and a third witness was Jim’s personal physician at that time, and under oath, they all swore that James McDonald was of sound mind and body, when he signed the will. The other two witnesses were State Supreme Court judges, who were still active in the State courts.

  Then, Mr. Billings told the judge; that there was a sixth witness who signed the document, who was also willing to come forward to testify, if needed.

  “That won’t be necessary,” said the judge. I recognize the governor’s signature.

  A few moments later, the judge received a phone call from the Clerk of the Court, verifying that the document he held in his hands was filed with the court two and a half years ago, and that after a careful search, it was proven to be the last legal Will and Testament for James McDonald.

  That was all that the judge needed to hear, and he addressed the courtroom. “It is the opinion of this court, that this document is indeed, the last Will and Testament of James Samuel McDonald. The court rules that the provisions of this will shall be carried out this day.”

  Mr. Billings asked the judge if he would please read the document aloud for all to hear. The judge obliged, and began to read from the document:

  “I, James Samuel McDonald, being of sound mind and body, do hereby declare this to be my last Will and Testament. I also declare that all wills signed by me before this date, are null and void.”

  “Over the past several decades, I have
managed to amass a large fortune. I have seen what it has done to my only son and to my only grandson. It has made them greedy, self-centered and selfish. Therefore, I leave them each the sum of one dollar, that is, unless I have a change of heart, and write a later will.”

  That brings me to my only other descendent; my great-granddaughter; Samantha McDonald. I have become closer to her over the past several months. In that time, I promised her a trust fund of fifty million dollars. She made me extremely proud when she asked me to donate half of her trust fund to help save a mining town in West Virginia. I know that she has a good heart and a pure soul. I know that she will use her inheritance wisely. Therefore, I hereby bequeath the remainder of my estate, to include all of my investments, stocks, bonds, personal property and real-estate with improvements, to Samantha McDonald.”

  After the judge finished reading the will, he turned his attention to Sam. “Well, young lady, the estate is now legally yours. How does it feel to be the one of the richest women in the world?”

  “Your Honor,” said Sam, “I have considered myself the richest woman in the world for almost three years now, but not because of monetary value. I am wealthy with friends and my new family in West Virginia. As for the money, I have seen what it can do if it is not used wisely, that is why I do not intend to keep it for very long. At this time, in front of everyone in this court, I will sign over all of my inheritance, to a charity trust that I have established; the James McDonald Foundation. The foundation will use the money to help those who truly need it.”

  Then, with a smile on her face, and a warm feeling in her heart, Sam signed the appropriate documents. She asked the five people who had been witnesses for her great-grandfather, to also witness her signature, which they all graciously agreed to do.

  Mr. Billings told Sam; “Jim would be so proud of you, Sam.”

  As Sam looked over at her family, she could not help but smile from ear to ear, just like the cat that swallowed the canary. Then, she, Billy and Mr. Billings walked out of the courtroom.