Stella burst into tears and her eyes turned red.
Jasper’s eyes were also red. He decided to give in. He rubbed her head and said in a hoarse voice, “Okay, let’s not part ways. The first thing I want to do is to send Asher Yaleman and Christian Saltzman to the military court.”
“Asher? Are you talking about Sean’s father?” Stella was surprised.
Jasper Milton nodded, “Are you afraid?”
“I’m not afraid of anything as long as you’re with me,” Stella said with certainty.
“I’m afraid of everything as long as you’re with me,” Jasper said meaningfully.
No matter whether they were afraid or not, they were going to be together.
The atmosphere in the manor of the Milton Family was exceptionally depressing.
Suzi Shine had invited a priest to come over. They didn’t know much about the funeral, so they just followed the priest’s arrangement.
Stella thought of Master Olgic and looked at Jasper, “Do you think Master Olgic will come over if we were to invite him over?”
“I don’t believe in those sorts of things,” Jasper said in a low voice with a strange look in his eyes.
Stella held his hand and asked, “Did he tell you something bad?”
“I don’t believe it. Let’s not talk about this. I have to stay up tonight. You don’t have to keep me company. You should have a good rest. You still have to take care of my mother,” Jasper changed the topic.
“I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep if I was alone. I will keep you company. Your mother will definitely stay up too. How am I going to take care of her if I’m not awake?” Stella said softly.
Jasper sighed, “You’re just stubborn as always.”
“I know myself very well. I know that you didn’t want me to be tired, but I will get insomnia easily. Since I can’t sleep anyway, I might as well stay up with you,” Stella said softly.
“Okay.”
The priest soon came over. Jasper followed the instructions of the priest and carried Steven’s dead body, which had been changed into new clothes, into the crystal coffin.
Stella was a little sad. Two years ago, Steven Milton was still very strong. In the flash of two years, he was now lying in a coffin. Soon, he would be sent to the crematorium, leaving only his bones as ashes. Very soon, he would disappear from people’s memories and become nothing.
He had worked so hard before, but in the end, it just vanished like a cloud of smoke.
Life was so fragile.
She held Jasper’s hand, which was colder than hers. She wanted to give him all the warmth that she had.
The funeral had been arranged. Elvis Zachary, Anthony Levis, and the people who were brought by Anthony started making phone calls to inform others that Steven had passed away.
The Milton family was heavily involved in politics and business. Elvis and four other people made calls until 10 p. m. They then ate at Jasper’s house and spent the night there.
Jasper, Suzi, and Stella stayed up together that night.
The three of them sat together on the comforter placed on the ground, leaning against the sofa.
Suzi looked at the funeral board and felt very sad.
Steven’s photo was placed in the middle of the wall behind the coffin. Above the photo was a Christian Cross hanging on the wall. The coffin was surrounded by his favorite white lilies and roses. The speakers played hymns, which were soothing and solemn.
“He devoted all his life to politics. In the end, he was dragged down by politics. His wish was to be a president. However, he was bad-tempered and he made enemies everywhere. He didn’t even have the qualifications to participate in the election. The election two years ago was a great blow to him and he never got over it till the end,” Suzi sighed.
“Everyone’s outlook on life is different. Some people love money while some people love women. Some people are devoted to power and some people could sacrifice themselves for what they love. It’s enough for him as long as he thinks that he has taken the right path in his life. After all, he doesn’t live for others, but for himself. Even if he doesn’t succeed, he has tried his best,” Stella comforted her.
Suzi chuckled and held Stella’s hand, “You really are considerate. Now I know why Jasper likes you.”
Stella was moved to see that she had been approved by Suzi. In the past, no matter how hard she tried, she would always be repelled by others.
Jasper was pleased to see that the two of them were getting along well, “Stella, you should stay here in the future and keep my mother company.”
“Okay,” Stella replied.
“What do you mean by that? Weren’t you guys preparing to leave?” Suzi looked at Stella in surprise.
“Jasper has decided to stay and face the problem head-on,” Stella explained.
“What are you going to face?” Suzi looked at Jasper nervously.
Jasper stared at Suzi deeply, “I still have some matters to attend to. Mom, do you still remember your brother?”
Suzi paused and said, “Why did you bring up about him all of a sudden?”
“Dad told me a few things before he died. I heard that my uncle was the most likely candidate to become the president in the previous election. He was talented and he had outstanding political achievements. No matter where he was, he always did a good job. He was also the youngest State Mayor, wasn’t he?” Jasper asked, his eyes were calm and thoughtful.
Suzi lowered his eyes, and her eyes were brimming red, “My brother was indeed really talented. He got into the University of Law when he was just thirteen and he attained his Ph. D. at the age of 18. Then, he was sent to the poorest town.
In the first year, he attracted investments and the merchants began to build roads. By the third year, the poorest town had become the richest town.
He went to work in a state in the fourth year. The state was a mountainous area, so he developed the tourism and crops industry. Within four years, the state had become one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world. Then, he was promoted from the mayor to State Mayor directly.
“He was only 26 years old then. When he held the position of State Mayor, he developed the agricultural industry and attracted more investment again. He built roads, constructed an airport, and did a lot of trading. In just four years, the production value of the whole country was quadrupled. He also established many free schools and scholarships with his own assets. In the end, he was murdered at 32 years old.”
“Murdered?” Stella was shocked.
“The only blot in his life was that he had a mistress outside. He met this woman when he worked in the poorest town after he graduated.
I have seen the girl, and she was two years older than him. She was very beautiful and she had a pair of big and glittering eyes. As her family was poor, she never had any proper education. However, she took it upon herself to study and she was able to speak in fluent English and German. However, my parents didn’t accept her and forced my brother to marry their friend’s daughter.
Later on, all of the efforts to attract foreign investment, develop trade, and establish free schools were done by this girl.
When my brother died in that woman’s house, their family was having a gathering. The woman, my brother, her two elder brothers, her sister, her two sisters-in-law, her brother-in-law, her old parents, two younger brothers, four nephews and nieces, a total of 17 people were killed that night. No one was left. The youngest child was only two years old.”