Chapter 182 Funeral (Part 1)

Chapter 182 Funeral (Part 1)

The Eternal Garden Mausoleum was built against the mountain, and Dorian's funeral was held here.

Santos didn't invite any media, and only those who received the obituary could come to pay their respects.

Many people were saying behind his back that Santos was arrogant.

Some thought that Santos was at least the founder of a large corporation, self-made, a man of his generation - being arrogant was normal. Santos being so open about it showed he hadn't committed any crime.

Others said Santos had lost his mind. The twin towers were destroyed, Thomas Holdings was now drowning in debt, its stock had crashed, its reputation was ruined, its former glory was history, yet Santos was treating the privilege of attending the funeral like some kind of favor. People with real power and influence had long stopped taking him seriously.

At the entrance of Eternal Garden Mausoleum, reporters from various media outlets gathered and chatted.

"Not many people showed up."

"Matthew has no evidence to prove Santos is guilty, and Santos has no evidence to prove he's innocent. Who dares to get too close to Santos at a time like this? Plus, it's no secret that Dorian got several women killed."

"I heard Mr. West and his new girlfriend also received the obituary. They didn't come - probably thought it would bring them bad luck."

"The ceremony should have started by now. Why is it so quiet up on the mountain? Wonder what's going on inside the chapel."

At the mountaintop, Eternal Courtyard Chapel.

Santos sat on the walnut bench in the center of the first row, staring at Dorian's portrait ahead, lost in thought.

The priest conducting the ceremony asked tactfully, "The farewell ceremony was scheduled for 10:15. It's been half an hour. Can you tell me how much longer we need to delay?"

"The guests haven't all arrived yet. We'll start when everyone's here," Santos replied with an indifferent expression.

The priest sighed and stepped aside.

Freya sat on a bench in the second row, glancing at Marshall beside her, who looked irritated and hadn't said a word. "Do you know who Dad is waiting for?"

"No idea," Marshall replied in a nasty tone, clearly not wanting to talk to her.

"Why are you so cranky today?" Freya glared at him. Marshall let out a strange, cold laugh.

"Crazy," Freya muttered, sensing Marshall's hostility toward her, though they'd disliked each other for ages anyway.

She cursed under her breath, then looked around the chapel, her eyes landing on Jim standing by the door.

She got up and walked over. Marshall watched her back, a flash of murderous intent crossing his dark eyes.

Freya sized up Jim, reassessing him in her mind.

"Didn't expect you to be so close to my father. As soon as he got back, he promoted you to personal secretary. I really underestimated you before."

"I'm just a nobody who got lucky enough to catch Santos's eye," Jim replied, neither humble nor arrogant.

Freya chuckled lightly. "Do you know who my father is waiting for?"

Jim was about to speak when he caught sight of a silver car at the foot of the mountain, ripples appearing in his calm eyes. "They're here."

Alison stepped out of the car, and a sea of white flowers came into view.

She saw white lilies, white tulips, white chrysanthemums, white hydrangeas - roughly twenty varieties by her estimate. "This funeral company really does beautiful floral arrangements," she remarked.

Oliver glanced at the excited reporters by the roadside and asked casually, "Are there many people here?"

"Not many! Just a bunch of nobodies up on the mountain, nothing compared to your status!" one reporter flattered him. "Are you here to investigate the case or to pay respects?"

"Is there a difference? Either way, I'm here for a dead person," Oliver replied dismissively.

He took Alison's hand and walked onto the black carpet that stretched from the cemetery entrance all the way up to the mountaintop.

Both wore black suits to show respect for the deceased, though that respect only extended to their clothing.

Members of Oliver's team followed behind them, then Oliver's bodyguards - the group totaled over fifty people, making quite a procession as they headed up the mountain.

Jim stood at the chapel entrance to greet them. "The farewell ceremony is about to begin. Please come in."

Freya raised her thin, sharp eyebrows. "Oliver, long time no see. Are all those people behind you your bodyguards? Isn't that a bit much?"

"Not at all. Things have been unsafe lately. I wouldn't dare go out without bringing this many people," Oliver said calmly, though his words sounded rather cowardly.

In fact, more than a dozen of the people behind him were from the National Security Bureau.

Although the National Security Bureau's mistake had leaked the news about Alison finding the ledger, they had already apologized. When the National Security Bureau wanted to infiltrate Dorian's funeral, Oliver decided to help them out.

"You're joking," Freya said with a forced smile. "Do all these people really need to go inside?"

Oliver didn't bother making up an excuse and repeated roughly the same thing. "Things have been unsafe lately. I wouldn't dare go anywhere without bringing this many people."

Freya felt like Oliver was here to cause trouble, but she couldn't exactly kick him out. "Then please, go ahead," she said, displeased.

Alison had heard plenty of rumors about Freya being calculating and ruthless. Meeting her for the first time, she took a few extra looks.

Freya had a nickname - "Demoness" - but Alison didn't find her scary. Compared to her, Jim was more intimidating.

"So you're Santos's right-hand man," Alison said, looking at Jim.

Jim said, "I was lucky enough to earn Santos's favor."

Alison spoke, "Congratulations on your promotion."

Jim smiled. "Thank you."

After the pleasantries, Alison and Oliver entered the chapel, followed by a large group of people. They were so conspicuous that they attracted countless stares as soon as they walked in.

Santos stood up from his chair. His hair was completely white, his back hunched - age and illness had left obvious marks on him, but he was like an old wolf, his eyes sharp with cunning.

"Are you bringing all these people because you don't trust me? Think I'm going to use force against you?" Santos called out.

"Would you use force against us?" Oliver asked back.

"You're overthinking it," Alison said. "Oliver and I are just worried someone else might show up with a bomb and burn this place to the ground."

"You're Alison?" Santos's feelings were complicated.

"That's me." Alison nodded and asked with a smile, "Do you mind if we have people check the place?"

Santos frowned. "Check for what?"

"Bombs, of course," Alison said, pretending to be scared. "So many people want revenge on you. What if someone else..."

"Ridiculous!" Santos snapped at her.

"Of course we need to check thoroughly," Oliver said coldly. He waved his hand, and the National Security Bureau agents and half the bodyguards immediately spread out, searching the chapel right in front of Santos.

Santos's face turned dark. Freya and Marshall spoke up to condemn Oliver, but he raised his hand to silence them. "Fine, search all you want. I don't want to get blown up at my son's funeral either."

Alison and Oliver sat down on a bench in the fourth row, surrounded by their people, taking up a large area. The guests who had arrived earlier were all pushed aside. Even Alison felt like she was here to disrupt the funeral.

"She's here too," Alison said, spotting Willow hiding in a corner. Her head was buried low, as if she really didn't want to be noticed by Alison and Oliver.

Ten minutes later, the head bodyguard walked over to Oliver and reported formally, "Search complete. No dangerous items found."

Oliver nodded. Santos snorted and said to the priest, "The farewell ceremony can begin now."

Oliver said, "Wait."

Santos looked displeased. "What do you want now?"

"The guests haven't all arrived yet, have they?" Oliver glanced at his watch and instructed the priest, "Wait a bit longer. Let's hold the ceremony around 11:30."

The priest looked at Santos uncertainly. "Santos, do you agree?"

Santos glanced at Jim and took a deep breath. "Do as Oliver says. Having more people come to see Dorian off is an honor for him."

Alison and Oliver entering the cemetery seemed to be a signal. Soon, cars began arriving at the foot of the mountain one after another, and the previously quiet cemetery became bustling with traffic and people.

Every guest who arrived after Alison and Oliver seemed to have agreed beforehand - they all brought numerous bodyguards, at least four or five people protecting each person.

Henry came with his father Cameron. The two brought twenty bodyguards in a very exaggerated display, their fear of death second only to Oliver's.

The huge chapel was packed with people.

Oliver figured Santos's purpose in holding the funeral was aimed at Alison - or more precisely, at the ledger.

He didn't know what kind of trap Santos had set up, so he simply used the human wave tactic.

Oliver wanted to see what kind of scheme Santos could pull off in front of all these people!