Wednesday

Chapter 4: Suspicious Generosity

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Hester entered Principal Dort's office who peered at her from behind a table covered in a long purple sheet.

"Hester Frump." He greeted. "It's an honor to have the Duchess of the dearly departed haunt the halls of Nevermore once more."

"Savor it." She told him. "I expect this visit to be brief and final."

"Then I won't waste another second. As I said in the phone, your generosity will not only ensure our future, but will build a monument to your life and work. Introducing..."

Principal Dort removed the sheet, revealing a small version of Nevermore with an added tall tower with a large F on the front.

"...the School of Mortuary Sciences at Frump Tower! Nevermore will be the preeminent academy for tomorrow's morticians, embalmers, and funeral directors. This will include updating the campus cemetery with Frump-branded headstones, and replacing the orchard with a body farm. Death, Nevermore, and Frump. Can you think of a more unholy trinity?" He pitched.

Hester chuckled. "A masterful presentation. My ego has never been more expertly stroked. But flattery is like formaldehyde. It is to be sniffed, never swallowed. Which is why I have zero intention of giving one cold cent to this moth-eaten dump." She spat venomously.

Principal Dort frowned deeply, but forced himself to smile. "It was worth a shot."

At that moment, the door to the office opened and Bianca walked inside.

"Bianca, would you please escort Ms. Frump to her car?" Principal Dort requested.

Bianca approached Hester and took off her necklace. "You will leave your entire fortune to Nevermore. That is your legacy. You will present your decision to your family and the world without raising suspicion. You will attend the gala as the guest of honor. And once I snap my finger, you won't remember I was ever here."

Bianca raised her hands and snapped her fingers, ending Hester's trance. She placed a hand on her shoulder, and began leading her to her car as she stared out into space, seemingly in a daze.

...

Morticia watched from a balcony at Nevermore as the gala began to get set up in the quad. Large spiral posts were being lifted to an upright position, chandeliers hung from above, and small boats were added into the small glowing ponds below.

She smiled and closed her eyes. "I know you're here, Larissa."

"The gala will no doubt be a rousing success." Larissa complimented. "Morticia Addams will save Nevermore. And the Larissa Weems era will be buried once and for all."

"It's never been my intention to overshadow your achievements." Morticia told her.

"And yet, it always ends up happening." Weems commented.

Morticia sighed. "What has Wednesday done now?"

"It's not him this time. Your mother is using your estrangement to pull Wednesday closer to her." She revealed. "I envied so much of your life, Morticia. But not your relationship with that old bat."