“Madam, this way please.” As soon as they arrived on the island, the emcee greeted them and led them forward.
At that moment, people stood solemnly by the side and waited for the imminent memorial service. Fortunately, Central Island was large enough to accommodate many people.
When Trevor and the rest escorted Madam Lilian over, everyone’s eyes were on them.
The camera lenses of the mass media outlets were also focused on them.
Their eyes were all focused on the world’s most well-known woman, Madam Lilian. Such a woman was usually only heard of. They did not expect that she would appear up close at Vivian’s funeral.
At the same time, they also saw the special love and care of Madam Lilian for Jenna. She held Jenna’s hand, with a doting face and extremely intimate words and deeds.
The mourning hall was silent.
Kimmel and another guard wearing a pair of glasses stood by Madam Lilian’s side.
The emcee led Madam Lilian and the rest towards the center of the mourning hall. Then, they stood up, picked up the microphone, and said, “Dear family members, please take your place on the left of the mourning hall.”
“My child, go.” After hearing this, Madam Lilian let go of Jenna’s hand and said to her lovingly. She was the eldest granddaughter-in-law, and her role was stated there. The protocol must not be ignored.
Jenna nodded her head in a very solemn manner. Hansen came over and held her hand and led her to the left.
“Everyone who is present to mourn Grandma Vivian, please take your seats in the mourning hall.” With the start of the background music, the farewell ceremony for the departed began.
Since Vivian passed away, Hansen hasn’t even had time to feel sad. Up till that moment where everything had been arranged properly, just by listening to the painful music, all the pain buried in the bottom of his heart burst out.
He recalled little by little that the most important woman in his life was in fact not his mother, but Vivian. Even Jenna, the woman he loved most in this life, had received Vivian’s kindness. Otherwise, he might never be happy for the rest of his life.
He wasn’t sure if he would be able to properly support his life in the future and before something big happened after Vivian left. However, the spiritual wealth that Vivian had left him would last forever. Furthermore, she had bestowed upon him a good wife, Jenna. This was the most important treasure in his life.
In the sombre mourning hall, the intertwining tears of sorrow and memories slowly flowed through his loved ones and friends. The music unearthed the deep feelings and respect they had for Vivian.
Madam Lilian took the initiative to recite a tribute to Vivian. In the end, the funeral ended with the head of the family, Hansen, expressing his gratitude.
As the family members were circling the coffin, Jenna saw Vivian quietly lying in the glass coffin. Her expression was the same as when she was alive, and tears flowed down her face naturally.
Vivian’s funeral news was broadcast throughout the service, and all the politicians and celebrities turned up. Hansen finally used his own efforts to provide Vivian a solemn and decent funeral. He thought that her soul in heaven would be pleased. After all, the Richards Group and Richards Manor were safe, and all the major crises were over.
After the memorial service, Jenna invited Madam Lilian to stay in the Ink Garden for the night.
Madam Lilian readily agreed.
Everything seemed to be progressing in a good direction.
In the quiet pavilion, Carmella stood there quietly. Her face was haggard, and the light in her eyes was as clear as water.
As soon as Vivian’s memorial service was over, she came here.
The scene of Norton risking his life to protect Sabrina from the bullet was vivid in her mind. It turned out that she didn’t believe in love. She even thought that marriage was just a kind of alliance for both parties’ benefits.
However, Norton’s actions from the day before had shocked her.
From this, she could tell that Norton truly loved Sabrina. He had no feelings for herself at all. Even the relationship between them could not be considered a friendship.
Carmella was not an ornamental piece who had to rely on a man to survive. She had her own career as well as her own dignity.
The only thing missing in her life was love. Reminiscing the scene from the day before made her think and understand a lot.
She was wondering if the reason her life had been so calm was that she had never truly loved a person. Even towards Norton, her feelings for him were an illusion. It was a kind of self-serving love. She knew that her grandmother was interested in the Richards family’s fortune and family background. That was why she agreed to let her and Norton go on a blind date. However, Carmella actually attended it happily, which may not have been a wise thing.
In the living room of Emerald Garden, Maria’s face was full of worry. She was about to pack some clothes and visit Norton at the hospital. She was so anxious that she cried when he got shot. It was not easy for her to endure it until the memorial service was over. Then, she began to hurry and packed things up and headed to the hospital to take care of Norton.
“Nice to see you, Aunt Maria.” Carmella walked in and greeted her politely.
“Ah, it’s you, Carmella. Come and sit down.” When Maria saw that Carmella had walked over, a smile appeared on her face. She pulled Carmella to sit down with her.
“It’s alright, Aunt Maria. I’m here to say my goodbyes to you,” Carmella said with a faint smile, and in a natural and graceful tone.
Goodbye? Maria froze for a moment and soon understood what was going on.
Everyone had seen with their own eyes that Norton took the bullet for Sabrina. He was so adamant that he had devoted all his efforts to Sabrina. As a mother, she could do nothing about it. She smiled apologetically and murmured, “Carmella, are you going to leave now? I don’t want you to leave.”
Carmella smiled back. “Aunt Maria, if the future permits, then I’ll bring you over to my company for a visit. My company’s business is very lively and busy. I should have left a long time ago, but since Grandma Vivian passed away, I wanted to join the memorial service. Now that it’s done, there is nothing else for me to be concerned with. It’s time for me to leave.”
She spoke in a relaxed and easy way.
Maria heard this and saw the loneliness on her face inadvertently. She felt inexplicably sad deep in her heart.
Carmella was smart and capable, and was also successful in her career. She was actually hoping to see Carmella and Norton get married to each other, but there was nothing she could have done about it. Besides that, she couldn’t waste the prime of Carmella’s life, right?
At the moment, she was at a loss. However, she said, “Carmella, do visit me often when you have time in the future.”
“Absolutely, Aunt Maria. Thank you for your hospitality. I’ll be taking my leave first,” Carmella expressed her promise with a smile. She then turned around but seemed to have thought of something. She turned back and continued. “Aunt Maria, please send my regards to Norton. I wish him a fast recovery.”
“Alright, alright.” Maria stood there blankly while watching Carmella walk further from her step by step. It was a pity that she didn’t manage to get such a good daughter-in-law.
Just as she was in a daze, Claude walked in.