My sister-in-law’s face changed.
“What fourth page?
Didn’t you just finish reading it?”
The lawyer ignored her.
He unfolded the paper.
“Mr. William Harrison wrote a sentence at the very beginning of the fourth page.”
He read it out loud.
“‘The following is what I have to say last.
I want to wait until they finish signing before reading it.’”
Robert stood up abruptly.
“Wait—what does this mean?”
“It means,”
the lawyer looked at him, “Mr. William Harrison requested that I read the first three pages first, and only read the fourth page after you signed to confirm.”
“You have already signed.”
“The will has taken effect.”
Robert’s face went pale for a second.
“This isn’t right—I didn’t know there was a fourth page when I signed!”
“Mr. Harrison.”
The lawyer’s voice was very calm. “It is written very clearly on the signature page—’I confirm acceptance of all terms of the will.’
All terms, including the fourth page.”
Robert opened his mouth.
But couldn’t speak.
My sister-in-law rushed over.
“You’re tricking us!
We’re going to sue you!”
The lawyer glanced at her.
“Ms. Miller, you are not a relevant party to the will. Please sit down.”
“You—”
“Sit down.”
The lawyer’s voice wasn’t loud, but my sister-in-law froze.
Looking at the lawyer’s expression, she slowly sat back down.
The atmosphere in the living room changed.
The relatives looked at each other in dismay.
Auntie’s salted peanuts stopped in mid-air.
Second Uncle held his teacup, forgetting to put it down.
Everyone stared at the piece of paper in the lawyer’s hand.
I stood at the door.
My hand still resting on the doorknob.
The lawyer turned to me.
“Mr. Julian, please come back and sit down.”
He paused.
“The contents of the fourth page mainly concern you.”
