Chapter 383 Standing in an Invincible Position
"Minority obeys majority?"
Everyone was floored when they heard Eldon's words.
James was just as shocked. He never saw that clause coming in Willard's will.
Matthew, on the other hand, had a mischievous grin and said, "I think Mr. Soto's got a point. Since everyone has their own opinions, let's vote. Minority obeys majority."
James shot Matthew a worried look.
He wasn't dumb; he knew Matthew must've bribed one of the lawyers. Otherwise, why would Matthew be so eager to vote?
"Mr. Smith, what do you think of this method?" Eldon asked James.
"Is there any other way besides voting?" James hesitated and asked Eldon in a low voice.
"Mr. Smith, here's the deal: Mr. Edwards has enough evidence to show you broke the contract, but Miss Hall has evidence that you didn't completely violate the terms. However, since you and Miss Hall weren't officially married, relying solely on her evidence to restore your heir status might be shaky. Plus, some of us disagree with this approach. So, the easiest way now is to vote!" Eldon was clearly on James' side and explained patiently.
James took a deep breath and said, "If that's the case, then let's vote!"
"Alright!" Eldon nodded.
The situation was better than before. At least James hadn't been completely stripped of his heir status, and now the vote by the lawyer team was a good thing for him.
"Then let's start the vote. Those who believe Mr. Smith did not violate the will and is still eligible to inherit Willard's estate, please raise your hand!" Eldon called out.
As soon as he finished, the room went dead silent.
No one raised their hand!
"I knew you wouldn't vote for James. How could a loser like him inherit Willard's estate?" Matthew laughed out loud.
James, Charles, Laura, and the others were stunned.
None of the twelve lawyers supported James inheriting the estate!
James and Charles never saw this coming.
Even though the twelve lawyers worked for Willard, they didn't know each other well. They were scattered across the country, helping Golden Peak Group's branches.
In other words, these twelve lawyers rarely met, except for important arbitration meetings like this. They had little to no private interaction.
This ensured that in major decisions, the twelve lawyers wouldn't conspire against Willard.
Whether during Willard's life or after his death, if these twelve lawyers teamed up against him, the consequences would be unimaginable.
That's why Willard had twelve lawyers manage his will instead of just one.
The room was eerily silent, making the atmosphere tense.
Eldon looked at the other eleven lawyers, a trace of helplessness in his eyes. He knew it wasn't that no one supported James.
They were just scared. If James didn't end up as the heir and Matthew did, Matthew would retaliate against them. So, they didn't want to offend anyone.
At this moment, staying quiet was the best move.
"Mr. Soto, do we really need to keep voting? No one's backing James!" Matthew said to Eldon with a smug tone.
"Who said no one supports Mr. Smith?" Eldon retorted, raising his right hand.
Matthew was taken aback. He didn't expect Eldon to still back James at this point!
"Everyone, remember what Willard told us before he passed and the promises we made to him. We've achieved what we have today because of Willard's guidance. It's our duty to uphold his wishes after his death. Follow your heart and do what's right, without being swayed by other factors!" Eldon said seriously to the other lawyers.
Everyone fell into deep thought after hearing Eldon's words.
"I agree that Mr. Smith should continue as the heir!" a middle-aged man said, raising his right hand.
"I agree too!"
"Emotion over law, Mr. Smith was Willard's designated sole heir. As long as the rules allow, we should honor Willard's wishes. I agree too!"
"That's right!"
Four more lawyers raised their right hands.
Matthew was stunned, his expression darkening.
He hadn't expected six lawyers to support James. If one more lawyer raised their hand, all his efforts would be for nothing.
James, Charles, and Laura were all excited, looking at the remaining six lawyers who hadn't raised their hands.
Time passed, but the number of lawyers supporting James stayed at six, with no one else raising their hand.
"Mr. Soto, how long are you planning to wait? Until a seventh person raises their hand?" Matthew shouted at Eldon, his eyes wide.
Eldon let out a sigh, a trace of helplessness flashing in his eyes, then he signaled the others to lower their hands and said, "Now, those who support canceling Mr. Smith's heir status, please raise your hand!"
The six lawyers who hadn't raised their hands before looked at each other and then raised their hands in unison.
The final voting result was six lawyers in support and six against, which was was essentially the same as not voting at all!
Matthew had already anticipated this outcome. When Eldon suggested deciding the matter by vote, he knew he wouldn't lose today.
Matthew had bribed these six lawyers and had promised them that if he became the new heir, he would reward them. That's why these six voted against James.
So, no matter what, as long as he had these six veto votes, Matthew was untouchable!
Eldon looked at the six lawyers who voted against, his gaze complicated, knowing they had been bribed by Matthew.
When Matthew first tried to bribe the lawyer team, the first person he approached was Eldon. But Matthew hadn't expected Eldon to be incorruptible, refusing to collude with him no matter what methods he used.
So, Matthew eventually gave up on bribing Eldon and focused on the others.
"Mr. Soto, what now?" Matthew asked Eldon with a cheerful tone.
"Since the first vote ended in a tie, we'll have a second vote. If the second vote is also a tie, we'll have a third vote, and so on until we reach a result!" Eldon replied firmly.
James, Charles, and Laura's faces showed concern upon hearing Eldon's words, as this voting method was clearly disadvantageous to them.
If another vote was held, Matthew would still have six veto votes, but James couldn't guarantee the same support!
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