Chapter 139
"Mommy, I miss you so much. Did you really give up on Logan and me?" Layla sobbed. "Where are you? Why won't you come home?"
---
Meanwhile, at the grand church.
Alton and Blake stood in black suits beside Caroline's enormous black-and-white portrait displayed prominently in the center.
The image seemed to stare back at them, hauntingly present yet forever gone.
Becky rushed in wearing all black. When she saw the memorial portrait, she faltered, momentarily disoriented and nearly losing her balance.
"Stanley, tell me this isn't real," she pleaded.
Stanley steadied her but could only open his mouth in silence when faced with her question.
His silence was answer enough. Becky's composure crumbled.
"Caroline was just with me a few days ago," she sobbed. "How could she possibly be dead? I don't believe it. I can't."
But seeing only Alton and a stranger in the hall, fresh tears streamed down her face. The truth was undeniable.
No one in this world wanted Caroline alive more than Alton. Yet here he was, conducting her funeral—a devastatingly sparse one at that.
Before Becky could fully process her grief, she noticed something wrong.
"Where's Arthur?" she demanded. "Why isn't he at his own wife's funeral? And those children—this is their mother's funeral. Are they so eager to please Heidi that they've forgotten who their mother is?"
Blake knelt on the ground burning paper money, his eyes bloodshot. "They don't deserve to attend my sister's funeral. They don't deserve to see her."
Becky glanced at him, suddenly remembering who he was. "You're that..."
"I'm Blake Hamilton, Caroline's brother," he stated simply.
"Alton, time's almost up," Blake said, looking at his watch. "My sister wouldn't want to see them anyway. We might as well—"
"Let's wait," Alton interrupted, checking the time. "Just three more minutes."
If Arthur didn't show up after three minutes, he would personally send Caroline off.
As for those who had hurt her, he would collect each debt personally.
---
On the road, a black Pagani raced through a traffic light and sped toward the church.
"Where's Caroline?" Arthur demanded as he strode into the hall. "Didn't you say she wanted to see me?"
Alton glanced coldly at his watch. "10:15. You're late."
Frustration visibly grew on Arthur's face. "I don't care what games you and Caroline are playing. I don't have time for this. Tell her to come out now."
Alton's expression darkened. Seeing the irritation on Arthur's face, he laughed with bitter contempt.
"You wanted to see Caroline?" he asked mournfully. "She's right here."
Caroline, who had just entered unnoticed, froze at the doorway.
Arthur's gaze happened to fall on her as Alton suddenly raised his hand and pulled down the black cloth behind him.
A huge black-and-white memorial portrait appeared, shocking everyone present.
"Do you see?" Alton said, his voice hollow. "She's been here all along. It's you who's been blind in your eyes and heart, never truly seeing her."
"Impossible," Arthur immediately denied. "She wouldn't die. How could she bear to leave her children behind?"
"You all abandoned her first," Alton replied coldly. "What right do you have to blame her?"
Arthur didn't believe a word. "Where's the body? What's the cause of death? Where's the forensic report? Her family?"
"You have nothing," he continued, "yet you expect me to believe Caroline is dead? This act you two are putting on is getting more pathetic by the minute."
Alton laughed bitterly. "Caroline was truly blind to give up her career for someone like you, choosing to become a housewife! She was truly blind!"
Caroline, still at the doorway, finally processed what was happening.
This explained why Alton hadn't contacted their professor or returned to school.
He'd been searching for her, and after confirming her supposed death, had forced Arthur to come see her one last time.
But of course Arthur wouldn't believe him. He probably thought this was just another act to win back his attention. His distrust was something she'd grown accustomed to.
Her heart ached for Alton, though. During her disappearance, he must have gone to great lengths to find her, only to receive news of her death.
He must be devastated.
Alton pulled out a document and thrust it in front of Arthur.
"This certificate was issued by the Windsor Group itself, with your signature," he said sharply. "I even have the death compensation from your company. Are you saying all of these are fake?"
Arthur's pupils trembled, those normally indifferent eyes showing ripples of emotion. He took the certificate and examined it closely.
Laboratory fire incident. Caroline Hamilton trapped inside with no escape.
The words jumped out at him, yet Arthur's reaction remained controlled.
"These prove nothing," he said evenly. "Alton, I know Caroline better than you. She wouldn't die."
"It's because of you, you bastard, that Caroline can't rest in peace even in death!" Becky cried, clutching the urn to her chest, eyes swollen with tears.
She'd just learned that Caroline had died in a fire.
Thinking about how brave Caroline had been, only to be consumed by flames, leaving nothing behind—while being misunderstood by her husband and abandoned by her children—Becky couldn't bear the injustice.
"Are you happy now?" she spat. "Caroline is dead, making room for you and Heidi. You'll never bully her again!"
Arthur's thin lips pressed together, his dark eyes cold.
"No matter what you say, I don't believe Caroline is dead," he stated firmly. "I know you're trying to help her save this family, but if you're using death as a threat, tell her to prepare for divorce."
Caroline's eyes flickered with emotion, though inwardly she laughed bitterly.
Each time, Arthur's behavior managed to refresh her disappointment in him. Even if her corpse were right before him, he probably wouldn't believe it.
Fortunately, she no longer expected anything from him.
Becky couldn't hold back. "What are you? You think you're worth Caroline trying to win back? Arthur, you're nothing but garbage!"
Arthur turned a cold gaze to Stanley. "Control your sister."
Becky whipped around to look at Stanley, her eyes flashing a warning.
This time, however, Stanley simply put his arm around her waist. "She can do whatever she wants," he said firmly. "I'll back her up."
Somewhat calmed by his support, Becky redirected her fury at Arthur.
"Get lost," she demanded. "Caroline doesn't want to see you!"
Arthur remained unmoved. "I'll have this matter thoroughly investigated."