Christine’s grandparents shocked the family by cutting her off from their inheritance during a tense dinner. This was part of Christine’s plan to bring the family together, particularly to address the favoritism that had hurt her half-brother, Tom.
When the grandparents announced, “We’ve decided to cut you off from the inheritance,” the family was stunned. Christine pretended to be surprised, but inside, she knew her plan was working. This idea came to her after overhearing Tom’s frustration about always being treated as a second-class citizen.
Christine visited her grandparents and hinted at extravagant purchases she would make with her inheritance, knowing it would alarm them. She emphasized how people today value living in the moment, hoping to appear irresponsible. This tactic succeeded; her grandparents decided to leave everything to Tom, believing he was more mature and responsible.
At the dinner, Christine’s father protested, but she reassured everyone, “I’ll be fine.” After the announcement, Christine found Tom alone, struggling to comprehend what had happened. She told him, “They believe in you, Tom. They see the responsibility and maturity in you.” This marked the beginning of a closer bond between them, with Tom finally feeling valued and Christine’s plan uniting the family.