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Chapter 202 – The Reading of the Will
🕑 Added 2025-10-04 17:07:52 +0000 UTC
“Everyone, please let me say something first.”
The moment Henry stepped into the dining room, the mood in the room subtly shifted. He broke the silence:
“My presence here tonight is at the request of Mr. Adler, the lawyer.
“I don’t know what place I hold in Miss Hepburn’s will, but I want to make this clear now: I hereby renounce all rights to inherit or accept any bequests. Whatever Miss Hepburn has left me will, according to law, pass to her legal heirs.”
Of those gathered, Hubert de Givenchy was the one who knew Henry best, having worked alongside him in caring for Audrey Hepburn during her final days. Surprised, he asked:
“Henry… are you certain?”
Henry smiled. “Yes, sir. I imagine my inclusion here means it’s not a small matter. But inheritance comes with estate taxes, and I’m not exactly in a position to pay such sums. Better to renounce.
“Besides, I was already paid for my work as her assistant. That’s enough. What I truly treasure are the memories of my time with her—I couldn’t ask for more.”
He then turned to the lawyer: “Mr. Adler, if I formally renounce, I won’t be held responsible for any portion of estate taxes, correct?”
Adler shook his head. “No, once you renounce, you bear no tax burden. But by law, I am still required to read the will in its original form, regardless of your decision. You understand?”
Henry nodded.
Givenchy gestured to the seat beside him, inviting Henry to sit rather than stand off to the side.
Perhaps because the young assistant had so firmly declared himself uninterested in Hepburn’s wealth, the tense expressions in the room softened somewhat.
Seeing no objections, Adler began to read Audrey Hepburn’s will.
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It opened with “My dearest family and friends,” and then moved directly into the matter of distribution.
As expected, the majority of her estate was divided equally between her two sons. Real estate, which could not easily be split, was divided by approximate value, one portion to each son.
Stocks, savings, and liquid assets were shared evenly. The rights to her name—her likeness, image, and associated copyrights—were granted equally to both sons, requiring mutual agreement for any use.
All matters tied to Hubert de Givenchy—fashion, perfumes, and luxury items designed under the inspiration or name of Audrey Hepburn—were entrusted entirely to him, consolidating the rights that had once been divided.
This spared him the burden of legal complications should he need to act as creator in the future, while still ensuring her sons retained authority over other ventures in her name.
Her two former husbands were each left items, mostly possessions once shared during their marriages—valuable artworks, primarily. No trivialities like pillows or bedding were mentioned.
Finally, it came to the matter of her assistant. Adler read aloud:
“Henry came into Miss Hepburn’s life through her connections with Miss Katharine Hepburn and Mr. Tony Stark.
“She intended to leave you her investments in Stark Industries stock, valued at approximately five hundred thousand Swiss francs. Should you renounce this gift, the shares will pass to her heirs, Sean Ferrer and Luca Dotti.
“So I must ask again—do you wish to decline this inheritance?”
Henry nodded without hesitation. “Yes, I renounce it.” Then, with some curiosity, he asked: “But… Stark Industries stock? I thought they weren’t publicly traded.”
Adler explained: “After Howard Stark’s sudden death, Tony Stark was forced to adjust strategies to cover the estate tax burden, listing a number of subsidiaries on the market. On her advisors’ recommendation, Miss Hepburn purchased some shares last year. Most were in affiliated companies—the core Stark Industries stock remains scarce and highly priced.”
“I see,” Henry thought. Another small step toward the world I know so well.
Adler continued: “But Miss Hepburn suspected you would refuse the inheritance. So she left you two other things, which she hoped you would accept.”
“What are they?” Henry asked, as did everyone else.
Adler placed two manila envelopes on the table. He pushed the first forward:
“You’ve written many manuscripts lately. Miss Hepburn personally contacted publishers in both Britain and America. One American house offered the best terms and has already begun the process.
“If you return to the States, you may carry on directly with them. If you prefer I continue handling matters from Switzerland, we can discuss fees later.
“Since the copyrights belong to you and Miss Hepburn merely provided a recommendation letter, this is not considered taxable inheritance. You may accept it freely.”
Robert Wolders spoke up, realization dawning: “Ah—it must be those love stories you’ve been telling. Henry, this is excellent. I’d meant to urge you to publish, but Audrey clearly had the same idea—and she’s already paved the way.”
“This…” Henry could only give a wry smile. It was a path he hadn’t expected. Wolders described to the others what he had heard of Henry’s stories, making it clear what Miss Hepburn had left behind for him.
“All right,” Henry admitted. “I can’t refuse this one. And the other?”
Adler pushed forward the second envelope. “A signed photograph.”
Henry tore it open eagerly.
Inside was a black-and-white still from Roman Holiday, a close-up portrait of Audrey Hepburn in her early twenties, radiant and timeless.
On the back, in her flowing cursive hand, was her signature and a brief note in English:
“Tonight, the moon is beautiful.”
