NovelEnglishChapter 100 Briony gave him a deep, respectful bow. "Dr. Clarke, thank you so much for coming." Cedric Clarke scratched the back of his head, looking distinctly uncomfortable. "Actually, I just ran into Stewart and the others in the parking lot." At his words, Briony's brow furrowed.
"The others?" Stella had a bad feeling. "Who's with Stewart?" Before Cedric could answer, a commotion sounded at the door.
Stewart walked in with Rosita at his side, and Irwin trailing after them-his forehead still bandaged.
"Oh, you have got to be kidding me." Stella rolled up her sleeves, eyes narrowing. "If I don't lose my temper over this, then-" Stella's mother, Scarlett Joyner, swooped in just in time, grabbing her arm and hissing, "What do you think you're doing? This is a funeral. Get a hold of yourself." Stella gritted her teeth, barely keeping her anger in check. "They're obviously here to cause trouble!" "The dead deserve respect," Scarlett warned. "Let's just see what they're up to. Don't do anything rash." With no choice, Stella forced herself to swallow her outrage, at least for now.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtStewart led Rosita and Irwin to the front, accepting a candle from one of the funeral staff, preparing to pay their respects to Julia.
But Briony stepped forward, planting herself squarely in front of Julia's photograph.
Stewart and Rosita both stopped, caught off guard.
"You have no right to mourn my mother," Briony spat, her glare filled with utter contempt, as if she were looking at murderers.
Stewart frowned, about to say something, but Cedric Clarke quickly pulled him aside.
Cedric dropped his voice. "Are you insane? It's bad enough you showed up, but why did you bring her?" "Rosita canceled her meetings for this. She really means it," Stewart muttered. "Briony's got issues with Rosita, and Rosita wants to clear the air." Cedric stared at him in disbelief, gaping for a full three seconds before finding his voice. "Unbelievable... Stewart, it's no wonder you're getting divorced. Honestly, you deserve it." Stewart bristled, picking up the sarcasm in Cedric's tone. His expression darkened.
Cedric could only sigh internally, realizing Stewart had completely missed the point. He mentally lit a candle for Stewart's lost cause.
Meanwhile, with Stewart distracted, Rosita stood awkwardly by herself, her eyes red and brimming with tears, looking every bit the wronged victim.
"Ms. Kensington," she pleaded, "I know it's hard to accept, but Stewart and I are truly here to honor Ms. Hudson's memory." "Truly?" Briony let out a cold laugh. She lifted Julia's portrait and held it right in front of Rosita. "Rosita, do you dare look my mother in the eye and swear you didn't hurt her? Do you?" Rosita's gaze flickered to Julia's image, her brow creasing. She quickly looked away.
She took a step back, her voice trembling with innocence. "Ms. Kensington, please calm down. If Ms. Hudson were here, she wouldn't want to see you like this..." "My mother lefta voice message before she died." Rosita froze.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmBriony caught every nuance of her reaction.
A slow, chilling smile played on Briony's lips. "Would you like to know what she said before she died, Rosita?" Panic flickered across Rosita's face.
Did Julia really leave Briony a recording? If so, then her secret-
Briony cradled her mother's portrait, eyes fixed on Rosita, advancing step by step, Ros ep Rosita stumbled back, then suddenly cried out and fell to the floor. "Ah! My ankle "Mom!" Irwin rushed to her side, panic written all over his face. "Mom, are you okay?" Rosita blinked away tears, shaking her head. "I'm all right, honey. I just twisted my ankle, that's all." Irwin frowned, but then stood up and marched over to Briony, tilting his chin up defiantly. "You've got Mom Rosita all wrong!"
Briony arched an eyebrow, regarding Irwin as he stood guard in front 9 Rosita like a little adult. She let out a Like a mirthless chuckle. "I'm the one who's mistaken?"
"Yes!" Irwin insisted, frowning at her. "It was Mom Rosita who toldand Dad that Grandma Julia and you didn't have many friends offamily. She was worried the funeral would feel too empty, and you'd be even sadder. That's why she canceled really important work and chere withand Dad! Mom Rosita is so kind. You can't be mean to her, Mom!"
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