Taming the Bitch (COMPLETED)

Chapter XLVII - LAST WILL

"I, Gabriel John Davis, bequeath all my assets and liabilities to my one and only daughter, Gabrielle Ralph Davis-Walton, effective from the day of my passing, on the condition that she remains wedded to Vincent Kopp Walton. She shall assume her duties as President of Davis Holdings from the very first day I am gone. She shall hold 30% of my shares in the construction firm Davis Construction, 15% to my son-in-law Vincent Kopp Walton, and 10% to my most trusted associate, Dimitry Thompson. I entrust my friend and solicitor, Atty. Francisco Morio, with executing this last will and testament and ensuring that my wishes are carried out.

In the event that my daughter and son-in-law divorce within two years of their marriage, all my wealth and shares shall pass solely to my son-in-law, Vincent Kopp Walton. I believe in his vision and legacy and entrust him with the life of my company. My daughter shall retain all inheritance from her mother and may only stand a chance to inherit my wealth if she produces a child, who shall be heir to Davis Holdings. Should she fail to meet these conditions, she shall retain 20% of her mother's shares and may serve as a salaried employee in the company if she so wishes.

Vincent Kopp Walton shall serve as Vice President under my daughter while they remain married. Should he remarry, he shall forfeit all inheritance, which shall then be distributed to various charities supported by Davis Holdings.

To this end, the only path for my daughter and son-in-law to secure the future of this company is through marital union and the creation of a family.

May this message guide their souls."

Gabrielle's eyes, weary and hollow, settled on Conrad Walton, sitting opposite Atty. Morio, who had just handed her the letter after processing her request to finalise the divorce. She folded the paper slowly, laying it upon the table with deliberate care.

"Gabrielle... think not just of your father's company, but of your own future..." Vincent's grandfather implored. She shot him a lethal glare, lips pressing together, her body tense with controlled fury. Yet, she remained silent, letting her gaze roam over the bruises and marks left by his grandson.

Conrad followed her eyes and flinched, noting the tender evidence of abuse upon her wrist.

"Don't do this, Gabby..." he knelt beside her wheelchair, grasping her hands.

Tears streamed as she flung the will across his face, the paper striking him sharply.

He wanted her to speak to Vincent? To listen to him? She seethed. Did Vincent ever grant her the courtesy of explanation, or did he merely batter her into submission?

No. Never.

Her father's fortune—worthless. She could consign it all to the flames.

Without a word, Gabrielle grabbed the envelope containing the divorce papers and hurled it across the lawyer's face.

The solicitor's hands shook as he retrieved it, sympathy in his eyes. Gabrielle responded with a glare so sharp it could pierce stone.

"If this is your wish..." he said quietly, standing to leave.

Vincent's grandfather knelt once more, hands trembling, eyes brimming with tears as he stared at her wrist.

"I am sorry," he whispered. "Truly sorry... I bear the blame for what he's become. I thought his parents perished... I thought he perished too... yet he survived, living in the streets of Germany... I ruined him, hoping to secure the perfect heir... and now... all I've done is lead you to this."

Gabrielle shook with a mixture of rage and disbelief.

"Gabby... you need Vince as much as he needs you. You love him..." the old man urged, voice cracking.

Yes, she loved him. And that love had returned only death, pain, and despair. She no longer wished to exist. She wished to end it all.

With a cold, unflinching glare, she withdrew her hands and wheeled herself from the library, leaving the old man kneeling, silent and regretful. She headed to her parents' room, forsaking her own quarters where memories and ghosts of the past lingered.

Outside the door, footsteps thundered. She froze, gripping the wheelchair's armrest.

Vincent appeared, towering and imposing, blue eyes wet with tears, the envelope clutched in his hand—the same one she had thrown moments ago. His expression, once fierce, now mingled grief and regret.

She reversed the wheelchair, only to be pinned against the wall.

"I will never hurt you again... Bella," he said, eyes glistening with unspilled emotion. "I won't show myself again... but please... please live your life."

He knelt, the air thick with urgency. "You are a doctor; I am your patient... live for yourself. Please..."

Gently, he lifted the gauze covering her deep wrist cut and pressed it to his lips. Tears streaked her face as she flinched under his touch.

"I will always love you," he whispered. "I will disappear, but please... live, Bella... for yourself."

She closed her eyes, pulling her hand away one final time.