Chapter 3

Few days before

Grandmother never calls until it's important, in fact she hardly calls meetings that is why I was taken aback when Ella called me to say Grandmother fixed a meeting. A gathering if you will.

I walked inside the mansion, my privately made two-piece suit rubbing my skin as I entered the elevator.

She made us meet her at the top floor of her grand house because she is Amanda Ace and can do whatever she wants.

"Ella" I called out to her when I saw her going through the hallway to grandmother's bedroom suite. "What is Alex doing here?"

"You showed up. I didn't think you would come" she said, straightening her posture. Her silver swan hair clip complimented the black gown that reached just above her knees and her silver heels.

"Why?" I caught our reflection in the wall mirrors Grandmother made Grandpa install on almost all the walls in the house.

"You and grandmother go toes for toes, I was expecting you to flip her off and ditch the meeting."

"Says you?" I chuckled. Ella was our last born and grandmother adored her so much that she got away with anything, even countering her.

"How did you know he was here, I was expecting Quinn and Aunty not him."

"I saw his car in the garage" she hummed.

We walked towards the room, her heels filled the silence.

The door opened to reveal the people inside. Father, Mother, Quinn, my cousin, and an elder sister. Mr John Ace and his wife Claire Ace, Quinn's parents and my uncle and anuty. Mr. Alex, grandmother's personal legal practitioner. And grandmother. She sat at the edge of the couch adorned with gold stones made by professionals.

"Ah Christian" she sighed in relief.

"Grandmother" I pursed my lips and walked towards her to hug her.

"I didn't think you would come" I heard Quinn's voice behind me.

"I was saying the same thing." Ella chirped in.

I scoffed, releasing Grandmother from my hold.

"You owe me, Wilson. Hand it over"

"What?" I turned to face my parents. My mother had this satisfied look on her face, while my father looked disappointed. "I trusted you son."

"You placed a bet on me?" I watched as he wrote down a check and handed it to my mother.

"How much did you lose Wilson?" John laughed with his wife as they clicked there drinks together.

"Fifteen million and a Bugatti Chiron"

My eyes shot up in surprise so as everyone as my mother smiled.

"Make that back by evening." Grandmother said to Father and he just casually nodded.

"I want one too" Ella pouted.

By this time everyone had made themselves comfortable with wines in their hands.

"Oh, you will get one darling." Grandmother said to her smiling. I rolled my eyes and saw Quinn do the same. This was typical in the Ace household, the last-born had more powers. But I was taken aback when grandmother continued.

“But-”

She wiggled her hands for Alex to drop a file in it. She opened the file and brought out printed sheets from it. She gave them to Alex who then distributed them to us.

"You have to work for it"

This was a shock as everyone looked at each other, Grandmother had never said that to Ella especially.

"Did you change overnight Grandmother?" my deep voice echoed. "This is new"

"I know my boy. You have to eventually work if you want something, read your booklets"

I looked down to the sheet in my hands, a big bold "WILL" was staring right back at me.

"Grandmother-" I cleared my throat. "A will is after death"

"You want to query me?" she asked daringly.

"I would but I need to know your reasons. At least let me hear you out before I conclude." I stared back at her, returning the dare.

Eyes were on us, moving between her and me. As fearful as Amanda Ace is, I was the only one bold enough to challenge her.

"Read the rest, will you?" she dismissed, elegantly taking a sip of her wine.

I looked down again at the Will, and scanned through until I saw Quinn's name.

Quinn Valencia Ace as mentioned above, a tasks is being assigned to you for your own portion of the WILL. Read below for understanding.

1.Improve the Golden Crest Mansion on the east side of Haven Estate by 65% before a three month mark. The revenue chat on the board must go up by 3%

2.Ace Automotive/Automobile companies and branches must have an incremental revenue stream of 50%. Ace Automobile aka A-square must top No. 1 on the Automobile chart.

Note: These must be completed, unsealed, during a time range of three months and additional two weeks is given as grace.

"What the hell? under three months?" I queried her, my voice went up a notch. "We couldn't even get Ace Eatery out of the gutter for food poisoning for a year. And you want an increased revenue under three months?"

She looked at me unfazed, twirling the wine in her glass.

"That's why they aren't your tasks, I gave them to someone who could pull that off." she smirk mischievously at me.

This old woman, the wrinkle ls on her face isn't enough proof that she's growing old.

"Read further" she urged.

I reluctantly looked again, because I have no choice.

Christian D. Ace as foretold, here are lists of tasks you are to complete to get your own portion of the will. As previously mentioned there is a time frame to do this, should it be that there was a hindrance that prevented you from completing your tasks, your portion will be split among family members.

Below are your tasks as follows:

1.Bring a wife home. A man who is family-minded is capable of taking care of multiple companies regardless of their difficulties. Your wife will be further assessed by the family to confirm her credibility.

My mouth was opened, I hard to bring my arm up to my chin to physically close it.

"You can't be serious" I closed the Will refusing to read further.

"I don't think anyone can find a wife that fast"

"I think you can Christian" Grandmother stood up and walked towards me, drawing the attention of others to us. "You are tall, handsome, wealthy," she mentioned as she patted my shoulders. "What more could a girl ask for?"

I shook my head and walked past her. “I am not doing that, you didn't even tell us the percentage we are going to get.”

“You’ll find out at the end of the day,” she said sternly. “But right now you either sign that Will or forget about being an Ace.”

I knew I was cooked and I had nothing to say to counter her. I re-read the rest of my part signed, and left.

I wasn't going to fight back, I couldn't all I needed to do at this point was to find a wife. And find her fast.