I glanced at Richard. His smug look had disappeared. Clearly, he hadn’t expected this turn of events.
Mr. Thompson flicked the coin into the air. Time seemed to slow as it spun, glinting in the light before landing on the table with a soft clink.
It landed on heads.
Silence filled the room. Then, Richard’s face turned bright red.
Entitlement Turns to Anguish
“This is a joke!” Richard shouted, slamming his fist on the table. “I need that money! I’ve got debts to pay! This isn’t fair!”
Mr. Thompson remained calm and said, “I’m afraid the decision is final.”
Richard’s anger morphed into desperation. “You don’t deserve it!” he snarled at me. “You didn’t even know her! I’ve got real problems – real bills! This was supposed to be mine!”
I stood there, stunned, barely able to comprehend what had just happened. I had won.
Dean, who had been so cocky on the plane, now looked like he wanted to vanish into his seat. His earlier bravado was completely gone.
“Enough, Mr. Gray,” Mr. Thompson said firmly. “The terms of the will are clear. I suggest you accept them gracefully.”
But Richard’s loss was far from graceful.