Chapter 84 The forgotten rule
Delanie sipped her glass of orange juice elegantly and smiled at Karen. “Why did you also give him a fake name?”
The answer was clear. Hiding identities was the Dawson's style. “Fine, I get it, but where does it end?”
“Marriage,” Declan interrupted lazily. Karen nodded in understanding. No wonder Roger’s identity was only revealed after he forcefully married her. “I see.”
“Well, that brings us to the latest item on the table,” Giovanni interrupted, gaining everyone’s attention. They were enjoying their dessert when he announced, “Your mother, Uncle Hank, Aunt Nora, and I are going on an indefinite vacation.”
“Like what?” Declan asked, not in agreement. “Indefinite? There should be a timeline like a week or two.”
“No. I’m fifty-eight, never enjoyed my life because of you grown-ass kids. It’s about time me and your mom enjoy that, and we don’t mind taking years.”
“What about the companies? I don’t feel capable of handling them,” Declan expressed. Giovanni smiled. “I know. My presence is what makes you lazy, and that’s why Roger is going to be handling my position and that of Uncle Hank’s from now onwards.”
Expecting Declan to refuse, he rather wholeheartedly agreed. “That’s better.”
Giovanni was disappointed. “I expect you to sit up, Declan.”
“Who said I’m not doing so?”
“Then what makes you excited about your elder brother taking over?”
Declan smiled. “Dad, you seem to have forgotten the rules this time. It’s about marriage. I had eyes on Lexi but lost hope after observing her obsession with my big brother.”
His words were a sad hit, but Lexi had indeed disappointed everyone with her obsession. “I can’t believe she used to be my best friend. She kept flirting with Wade, and when he didn’t give her attention, she refused to talk to me like some five-year-old,” Delanie said.
They spoke about casual things, drinking to Karen’s success until late at night. It was after they retired to bed that Roger asked Karen, “Are you sure you don’t want to attend Tonia’s funeral?”
Due to Roger's mention of foul play, Karen changed her mind. "I want to see the corpse in the coffin, so I guess I have to be there," she said.
Roger nodded, agreeing to her wish. "I will make the necessary arrangements." The next day, Hank, Nora, Hector, and Hendrix arrived at Roger and Karen's mansion.
The arrangements were made so that after signing the necessary documents, Roger and Karen could leave for the funeral.
Upon seeing Hector, Roger felt grateful. "Thanks for looking out for my wife and for having Dad go after her."
Hector was surprised by Roger's gratitude, considering Roger had been upset before. "It's my responsibility. Like I said, I was doing it for Dexter."
Roger felt guilty for not inviting Hector to the cemetery. "Well, I guess Hector is happy. We paid him a visit yesterday."
"And you didn't invite me?" Hector expressed disappointment, and Karen also felt guilty.
"I'm sorry, but you have to understand that I was on probation and wasn't thinking straight. I even feared she might reject me if I proposed to her at the cemetery," Roger said honestly, Nora was shocked.
"You proposed to her at the cemetery?" She asked, finding it strange, but Giovanni explained on Roger's behalf. "I thought it was odd too when he mentioned it, but it felt rather romantic."
"I can't believe I missed it."
"Well, we have a funeral to attend, so can we get going?" Roger asked as the documents were brought forth for signatures. Roger was to oversee the training of his cousins and siblings, ensuring they got married before taking ownership of their parents' assets.
"Does it mean you aren't going to attend our weddings?" Hendrix asked worriedly, and both parents laughed. "Of course, we'll make exceptions for those."
The atmosphere lightened up instantly as Hector announced, "Since I don't have much to do, I'll follow you guys to the funeral."
"In white?" Karen asked, and Hector stared pleadingly at Roger. "Don't be mean, cousin. Give me a spare black shirt."
Roger ended up clothing all the men around since none of them had prepared for a funeral.
Their unexpected arrival caused a lot of stares, as no one had anticipated their presence. The two richest families attending the funeral of the late Tonia Fletcher surprised many dignitaries.
Katherine and Gordon did not recognize Karen at first sight in her black chiffon below the knee dress, her exposed legs covered with black stockings, enhanced by four-inch stilettos. Her head was covered in a stunning black fascinator and dark sunglasses.
Beside her was her husband, Roger Dawson, in an all-black suit and black sunglasses. Giovanni Dawson and Molly, Hank, and Nora were also present, looking as intimidating as always.
Hector, Hendrix, Declan, and Delanie did not walk in with the family but blended in with other guests.
The atmosphere tensed up as Katherine and Gordon rushed to their side, leading them to the VIP seats. “Karen, thank God you came. You should have seen how I was being mocked. Now they’ll know that the Dawsons are on our side.”
Karen stiffened as Roger’s arms lovingly wrapped around her. She didn’t know whether to play along or burst Katherine’s bubble.