The room erupted in chaos as each brother shouted over the next.

The noise faded into a dull roar inside Kate's head as her thoughts spun in circles and the words echoed. Eighty million… eighty million… eighty million. She could save her company. Isabel's tuition could be paid. They could keep the house, and all her problems would be solved. This was the answer to her prayers, wasn't it?

She picked up her purse and stood.

"I don't want it," she said to Anderson. The room suddenly fell quiet.

"I can understand your shock, Kate," Anderson replied. He walked over to his desk and placed his hand on a thick binder. "I'm sure you're beginning to see that your great uncle Compton was a meticulous planner. He arranged the transfer of the estate down to the smallest detail." He patted the binder. "This is a summation compiled by his accounting firm. You are to take it with you today so that you can familiarize yourself with the cash holdings and other assets. He wanted you to understand and appreciate what he accomplished in his life. Tomorrow at three p.m. you are to return here for a meeting with his financial advisors. At that time they will answer any questions you might have and offer you their services to make the transition as smooth as possible."

"But you don't understand," she insisted. "I don't want it. Any of it."

"Give this some time to sink in," Anderson cautioned. "You don't want to make any rash decisions."

"You heard her," Roger argued. "She said she doesn't want it."

Ewan rushed forward. "What happens if she won't take it?"

Anderson was reluctant to answer. "Your uncle was adamant that the estate go to Kate and he was quite confident that she would accept. He did not name a succeeding heir."

"That means if she refuses to take it, then it will go to our uncle's next of kin, right?"

Anderson didn't respond. He turned to Kate instead. "You have until tomorrow to think about this. Please take the binder and look it over. We'll discuss it then."

"That won't be necessary," Kate answered calmly. "I will not accept the inheritance. I want nothing from that man."

Dylan had been standing beside her in case one of the brothers got too close, but she was the one in charge now. She was not about to let them intimidate her, and that impressed the hell out of him.

Vanessa started walking toward the door. She stopped when she reached Kate and said, "He wanted you to have it. I think it would be wise for you to consider this before you give it away." She smiled then and whispered, "Good luck."

"Why aren't you moving, Anderson?" Ewan yelled. "Draw up the papers for her to refuse the money."

The attorney shook his head. "I cannot do that. It is my responsibility to carry out your uncle's wishes to the best of my ability." He picked up the binder and looked at Kate. "I cannot force you to accept the inheritance, but I strongly urge you to at least look at these records so that you can make an informed decision."

"Put the records down, Anderson. She doesn't want them."

Kate's patience had reached its limit. She smiled at Anderson and said, "I appreciate your concern, and I understand that you're simply doing your duty. But you must understand, I'm not going to change my mind. If there are papers I must sign to decline this, please draw them up."

Anderson realized that any further protests now would be wasted. She needed time. "Very well," he said. "It will take me a day or two to notify everyone and to put together the documents. I'll let you know when they're ready."

"May I have the photos of my father now?" she asked.

"Of course," he replied and reached into his drawer to retrieve a large manila envelope for her.

"Thank you," she said. "Could we go?" she asked Dylan.

"Sure thing," he answered. He moved aside to let her walk ahead of him and kept his eye on the brothers as he passed them. They were all but bursting at the seams with the joy of their victory.

"I'll walk out with you," Anderson offered.

The three passed through the outer office and headed for the stairs.

"I'll be in touch with you soon," he said as he accompanied them down the hall. "I urge you to think about this tonight. Perhaps you'll change your mind."

"It's going to be difficult to explain all of this to my sisters. I knew when I came here that I would meet our relatives, but I certainly didn't expect they would be so…"

Anderson smiled. "I know. They're hard to describe, aren't they?"

Kate laughed then. "Yes. At least I have the— Oh… I forgot the disk." She spun around and rushed back into the outer office before Dylan could stop her.

She could hear laughter and the sound of glasses clinking together. She reached for the doorknob, but something else caught her attention. She froze. The brothers seemed to be having a grand celebration. They laughed uproariously when one of them made a joke about her family.

Kate stood at the door and listened for a couple of seconds. That was all the time she needed.

When she opened it and marched into the room, the laughter came to an abrupt halt. She didn't spare her cousins a glance, but walked to her chair and picked up the disk she had dropped. Then she swung around and reached for the binder on the desk.

"What are you doing?" Roger demanded.

"You've changed my mind. I'll be needing this after all," she said, as she turned around to face their stares.

With the binder clutched to her chest, she walked back to the door where Dylan stood waiting.

As the door closed behind her, she looked over her shoulder and calmly said, "Oh, don't let me interrupt you, cousins. Please. Carry on. One of you was just calling my mother a whore."

"What the hell was that?" dylan posed the question as they crossed the lobby.

"You're going to have to be a little more specific," she said. "Which hell are you referring to?"

Anderson Smith, beaming like a proud parent whose child has performed way beyond his expectations, chased after them.

"Miss MacKenna… Kate, Kate, please, wait just a minute."

For a split second Kate considered running from him. She desperately wanted to get away from the relatives with all possible haste, but not at the attorney's expense. It wasn't his fault that his client had been such a foul old man. She also couldn't blame him for the vile relatives. Anderson seemed to be just as shocked and repulsed by their behavior as she and Dylan were.

Forcing a smile, she turned around and waited for the attorney to reach her.

"Yes?"

"I was so pleased to hear you say you have decided to accept your inheritance. Shall I expect you here tomorrow at three? Your uncle's accountants and advisors will be ready to answer any questions you will surely have after you've looked through the report, and they will also witness your signature." He took a breath and added, "And I will of course continue to do my best to guide you until the transfer is complete and until you name a new firm to represent you."

"I have no plans to replace you, Anderson," she assured.

He was obviously thrilled with her decision. He clasped her hand. "Wonderful, wonderful."

"But the eighty million-"

"Actually, my dear, your uncle understated the value."

She blinked. "I'm sorry?"

"Your inheritance is considerably more than eighty million."

"Oh… and you will continue to represent…" Her voice trailed away.

"Will I see you tomorrow at three?"

He was moving too fast for her. Everything was moving too fast. "I'll need time to read… tonight… and tomorrow…" She looked frantically at Dylan for help. She couldn't seem to get the words out. She thought she must sound moronic.

Dylan thought she sounded as dazed as she looked.