Chapter 353 Franklin's Intent, Exhumation and Autopsy
"What's the big deal?"
Juniper leaned against the wall, arms crossed, looking up at Dashiell. Somehow, even from below, she seemed to have the upper hand.
"Brad's a pastor, and he's got a thing for Juniper."
"What are you getting at? Dashiell, I thought you were different from Tiberius, but now..."
Dashiell felt his cheeks heat up under Juniper's slightly scornful gaze.
Owen had already spilled the beans to Juniper.
It was Dashiell who reached out to the Harrison family and took Lila away. His motives were as clear as day!
Juniper let out a cold, indifferent laugh.
"Some folks have such dirty minds, they see dirt everywhere."
"Juniper, that's not what I meant..."
Juniper chuckled, brushing him off. "You know, I've got a lot of brothers. If each of them took a swing at you, would you be crying for a while?"
"Juniper, I'm sorry."
Brad was busy examining a huge antique, checking it out from every angle before plopping down on the floor with it.
Surrounded by a sea of antiques, Brad felt like his spiritual practice was about to hit a new level.
"I'm gonna meditate here, Ms. Windsor. Do whatever you want."
"Alright, I'm off to find Grandpa."
Juniper shot Dashiell a quick glance before leaving, her icy stare making his heart skip a beat.
Dashiell watched Brad sitting cross-legged on the floor, mulling over his plan, and moved closer to him.
"Mr. Thornton, I've been dealing with a lot lately. Could you help me sort it out?"
"No."
Brad shot him down flat, no hesitation.
But Dashiell wasn't about to give up that easily!
A pastor like Brad, invited by the rich and powerful, had access to circles Dashiell couldn't reach. If he could get Brad to introduce him...
Brad suddenly opened his eyes.
His calm gaze lifted slightly, the reddish hue at the corners of his eyes and forehead giving him an almost divine presence, like the eyes of God, unsettling to behold.
"If you're already dabbling in shady dealings, why come to me? You should know plenty of people like Allan."
"Mr. Thornton, I don't get what you're saying..."
Brad's phone buzzed with a message from Catherine.
[Waiting for you in the mountains.]
Seeing Catherine's message, Brad's expression shifted, and he quickly stood up, heading for the exit.
Just as Dashiell was about to follow, Brad turned back to look at him.
"Dashiell, let me remind you..."
Dashiell's heart leapt into his throat, holding his breath for Brad's words.
"You've got spinach in your teeth."
Dashiell's mind went blank in an instant!
He wished he could find a place to hide immediately!
By the time he snapped back to reality, Brad was already gone.
Owen's study.
Juniper had a stack of documents in front of her.
"Sign these. They'll all be yours, clean and clear, don't worry."
"Grandpa, isn't this a bit too much?"
This was practically the entire Harrison family estate!
If it was all handed over to her, Juniper felt it was too hot to handle!
Owen waved his hand dismissively.
"Take it. I was going to give some to Dashiell, but his intentions aren't pure. You're the only child in our family that I trust."
Mentioning Dashiell made Owen want to sigh.
"Grandpa, Dashiell wants me to return to the Harrison family to stir up trouble between me and the Windsor and Howard families, right?"
"Yeah, the Harrison family's assets are limited. Giving them all to you keeps others from trying to snatch them. As for my antiques, do what you think is best. Some things are just too much to handle, so I'm thinking of donating them."
Hearing Owen talk like he was wrapping things up for good, Juniper felt a wave of sadness.
"Grandpa..."
Owen gently patted her head.
"Juniper, I'm so thankful Marcus raised you right. I'm at peace."
Juniper's eyes filled with tears.
The Windsor family cemetery.
The hills were lush, the distant mountains a deep green, with endless ranges shrouded in mist.
Catherine, decked out in waterproof hiking gear, climbed the mountain, with Brad following close behind.
Venus swung around in the trees, holding onto ropes and swinging back and forth.
Brad was taken aback, "What's he doing? Going all Tarzan on us?"
Catherine replied, deadpan, "No, he's looking for monkeys."
Venus swung on the vines for a bit, quickly finding the mountain monkeys, and started chatting with them, actually communicating!
Brad was floored!
Venus soon came down from the tree.
"No choice, the signal's bad up here, and drones aren't allowed. The Windsor family is strict; they'd shoot down any drones. We gotta ask the monkeys."
A professional team managed the Windsor family cemetery, and to keep people from accidentally wandering in and disturbing the peace, drones were strictly prohibited.
Brad had seen a lot of wild stuff from the Galactic Aurora Collective, but asking monkeys for directions was a new one...
Venus pointed to the monkey ahead.
"It'll lead us there, let's go!"
Following the monkey, they quickly reached the spot Catherine wanted to visit.
The mountain path was tough, but Brad and Catherine, both seasoned in remote survival, managed to carve out a temporary route.
Standing on the hilltop, Catherine looked down.
"My grandmother's grave is over there. This side's deserted, no one comes here."
"Then let's get started. I'm ready."
An hour later.
A group emerged from a hidden spot on the mountain, led by none other than Franklin!
Allan, behind him, cautioned, "Mr. Morales, watch your step."
Several others accompanied Franklin, including the burly Ethan and Matthew, who was in his wheelchair.
Dashiell was trailing at the back!
There were also several people Catherine hadn't seen before, likely Franklin's trusted aides.
Dashiell spoke up, "Mr. Morales, just ahead is the Windsor family cemetery. Today is their memorial day. If we seize the opportunity, we can definitely take Elodie's coffin."
Hidden in the shadows, Catherine raised an eyebrow.
Franklin wanted to take Elodie's coffin?
What was he after?
Franklin's gaze was tinged with a crimson fervor!
"Elodie was a genius, the only one to escape the Galactic Aurora Collective. If I can open her mind, I'll know what she took from them..."
"Catherine must have gotten something from Elodie to control the Galactic Aurora Collective!"
"Once the Galactic Aurora Collective is back in my hands, I can fulfill my dream! A world where only geniuses remain!"
Franklin's fanatical words echoed through the mountains.
Catherine frowned.
Franklin actually planned to dig up and dissect Elodie's body!
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