Looking at the portion on the plate and as Shawney took the first mouthful, it feels like the food stuck in her throat choking her.
With every eye on her, she took little and eat slowly sipping the water to help.
Finally, she finish thinking, 'She haven't eaten this much food since the valentine's dinner with Torren, but the food here was tasty enough, although her mouth had no taste whatsoever.'
When everyone finished eating, Uncle Thomas asked me to come and sit to his right hand side of him.
Then he asks Julien who seem inquisitive to see, and know what he had in his suitcase, to move across to his left.
He then asks Sid to move to where I was sitting. 'I wonder if he will feel he will catch the plague?' Smiling, Shawney notices them looking at her.
'They must be thinking I loosing it, so just imagine if I start laughing, what they might think then?' Unable to stifle the chuckle, but I bend my head so no one will see.
When Uncle Thomas open his briefcase and give me an envelope and Julien one. Holding it when he said.
"Okay, go ahead you can open it." Seeing the deeds of property and businesses.
Flipping through it quickly wondering what was going on? Do I own all these businesses seeing my name on all. Looking at Uncle Thomas
When Julien asks "What is this Uncle Thomas?"
Stopping Uncle Thomas, "One minute Uncle Thomas, do you have a list of all the business Uncle own?"
"One-minute Shawney, why do you want that he is my dad." Julien belch out with rage in his voice.
"Okay, you two let me give you a list Shawney, and here you go Julien
Seeing in my list the name of who will get which businesses to manage. When Uncle Thomas said "Son, that is some of the copies of deeds your father owns,
"When you say some, please explain to me?" Julien asks questionably, wanting to know exactly what was going?
Some of you will be holding the copies now, as you can see? I am his trustee and Shawney here is holding the original document.
Now you are the one he leaves to oversees these three businesses, being the eldest of his children and his heir.
In your envelope, you will see the agreement, at any time you try or attempt to swindle or scheme anything in the business, you will be breaching your contract and I will fire you immediately. According to your father's will. and this agreement.
Now after you overseer these businesses faithfully for two years," placing a file in front of him seeing when he opens it he shrieks. "Yes, you will earn this taxi company."
"Dad, owned a taxi company?"
"If you read the copies you will see you are holding three very important business of the town.
The taxi company you will be managing, and you have to ensure that the building where the bank is, and the variety store be maintained, it belongs to your father.
Shantel, your dad places you in charge of these two businesses," giving her an envelope "And the same instruction he leaves for Julien he leaves for you."
"Uncle Thomas, are you saying that this restaurant I am sitting on, belongs to my dad and the building with the Sue Yan supermarket belongs to us?"
"No, it belongs to Shawney, but if you are faithful after two years it will be yours."
Placing an envelope in Joan's hand, "As you can see I have given you the original copy, Ken leaves this property for you, it consists of ten acres of land and a guest house in the property."
Looking at Sid, Meg, Curtis, and Linsey, "Now your Uncle has given you all a percentage of shares in these companies.
Sid, being placed as a manager in this companies you are assigned to, you are placed in this Electrical Company," giving him the document.
"Curtis, you are placed as a Senior Officer of this Security Company. Meg you and Linsey are now the Managers of the store you are currently working at."
Shawney, wanted to know why he had given her all the deeds, asking, "Uncle Thomas, I have a question, why all these deeds?"
"Shawney, your father was a silent partner, together, he and your Uncle, purchase lots of business together.
They decided not to reveal it to the family, because of their attitude. And how they conducted themselves. Your father's last wish was for you to hold all the deeds."
"But Uncle Thomas this is almost the whole town?"
"Not exactly the whole town Shawney, but many of the business. They bought the rundown business and rebuild to keep the town upgraded and flashy.
His wish was for you to distribute as you see fit, if there are changes in your brothers and sisters."
Curtis said, "Uncle Ken leaves the property for his children and dad leaves Shawney to decide if to give us?"
"Yes Curtis, the reason for that is the money he invested was Shawney money."
"I understand Uncle Thomas," Sid responds, In fact, we really don't deserve much, the way we treated Shawney.
But I am thankful, if this Electrical Company belongs to Dad and Uncle Ken, then I will seize the opportunity to continue to build and improve where they have left off."
Listening to the many angry statements, their comments, and accusations. When they finally had nothing else to complain about.
Shawney said, "Now that everyone of you had said your piece, I can clearly understand why dad and Uncle Ken never revealed these businesses to the family.
They talk first without listening and thinking, they feel they are entitled to get from everything.
Well, you all will get something but you will have to prove to me that you deserve it. No easy handout anymore.
Just as Julien and Shantel have to be faithful and prove that they can manage their business they are responsible for. I will give each of you the same responsibilities and opportunity."
Sid, Curtis, Meg, and Linsey hear her asking Uncle Thomas to distribute another small business to the four of them.