Aunt Hilda's property portfolio had essentially been on hold since her health had deteriorated. With her guidance, I began to learn all about it and to more actively manage it. I liked it and I think I had some talent for it.
By the time my poor Aunt died, I was in full control of the whole portfolio which was now worth over fifty million dollars (Innsen's original estimate had been way off the mark).
Aunt Hilda's passing left me bereft. We'd grown very close. I had lived with and cared for her during her last three years.
Of course, I was her sole heir. She would have expected me to be 'business-like' so I did my grieving in private and got on with my affairs.
I was determined to honour her memory and to fulfil her wishes to assist young women to succeed in business. To this end, I established The Aunt Hilda Foundation - I wanted a name that sounded caring and, of course, honoured my aunt's memory. The Foundation's charter was to provide scholarships, training, start-up loans and so forth for young women trying to make their way in the business world.
I cut all ties with Innsen by calling him around to see me and making him a 'take it or leave it' offer.
"Two million dollars and you disappear, Mr Innsen. That's it."
He didn't even protest; he understood the situation and was probably grateful to get anything at all.
He smiled and said, "Sheri, it has been good to know you."
I couldn't help returning his smile. He was a scallywag, just like my parents; and maybe I was a bit of a scallywag too.
"Good luck to you, Mr Innsen."
Naturally, I looked after my family and then I settled down to managing my property business and the Foundation; it kept me busy.
Nevertheless, I thought that it might be time for me to get myself a boyfriend . . . or was it a girlfriend I wanted. I wasn't sure.
YOU ARE READING
Sheri and the Scam
Short StoryA scheme that involves a boy being disguised as a girl in order to win an inheritance. But things don't quite work out as expected.
