Fortune Misfortune

    On the Livingstone estate, flies were sometimes the first indication that someone had died. In this case it was Gertrude Livingston, the Livingston family matriarch. When news escaped of the beloved woman's death, family came immediately to assist in the preparations.
    A day before the funeral, the family was inundated with mail. People they'd never met claimed to be distant relatives, clearly in hopes of claiming some part of Gertrude's fortune. The family was cognizant of these ruses and simply ignored the mail.
    One letter stood out, though. It clearly wasn't written in some peasantry scribble, but instead in a beautiful script, adorned with many a flourish. Olivia Livingston came across the letter first and decided to open it; The markings were too captivating to ignore.

    The contents read "And so I was right! Not a single letter written from any kind of commoner would you pay heed, but the instant you saw a beautiful, high-class script you couldn't help but open it. The eyes of this family have been desensitized to the poor, to those with no luxury, and barely the essentials. And to think a fortune of this kind would be distributed to those with no need of it. Well, whatever I thought of you all, or what should be done with this fortune, I suppose it doesn't matter now that I'm dead. Have your money, I hope your hearts soften and you use it well."
    Matilda asked Olivia who had written the letter, and Olivia found the ominous signature at the bottom.      "It's signed by Francesca Francois." Olivia replied.
    "Who's that? One of Granny Gertrude's business partners?"
    "I'm not sure, I've never heard of her." Olivia said.  "Oh well. Let's finish Granny's funeral preparations.  What are you going to do with your share of the inheritance?" She added.
    Matilda began describing her grand plans and Olivia listened intently. She always looked up to her older cousin, and even now there were things to learn from her.