Chapter 62 The Funeral
Raymond's grin turned icy as he taunted, "Alvin, it's work hours. If you're so worried about her, why not quit and be Margaret's assistant?"
"My bad. Won't happen again." Alvin knew Raymond was ticked off. He grabbed the final signed contract and made a beeline out of the CEO's office.
Raymond dove back into his work, acting like Margaret's safety was no big deal.
Another day rolled by.
Margaret, too lazy to cook, just ordered some takeout.
Her phone buzzed with a weird call.
She didn't think much of it and answered.
Sarah's voice came through. "Margaret, hey."
Margaret's irritation flared up instantly. "Haven't you had enough of the fountain water?"
Sarah shot back, "Margaret, I'm just giving you a heads-up. Don't be cocky. Tomorrow's Ashley's funeral. Aren't you gonna see her off one last time?"
Margaret sneered, "Why do you care if I go or not?"
Sarah snorted, "You were with Ashley before she died, right? I heard you two were together those days. You don't even wanna see her off? Feeling guilty or something?"
Sarah kept going, "She even set off fireworks for you. Do you think you deserve that? If I were Ashley, I'd be pissed."
"When did you two get so chummy? Do you really want me there? Planning something shady?" Margaret retorted coolly, "I was gonna come, but with your attitude, I don't think I will."
Sarah's sinister laugh echoed through the phone. "Margaret, aren't you curious why Ashley killed herself?"
Margaret felt a chill. "What are you getting at?"
Sarah said, "You'll find out if you come tomorrow. Margaret, you won't regret it. I've got a shocking secret about your husband, Raymond."
She added, "Of course, if you don't care and wanna stay in the dark, that's on you. I've told you. Whether you come or not is your call."
Margaret wanted to ask more, but Sarah had already hung up.
A sense of dread washed over Margaret.
Could Raymond have had something to do with Ashley's suicide?
Margaret knew tomorrow's funeral wouldn't be a walk in the park.
Sarah probably had a ton of traps set for her.
But she had to go. She needed to find out what connection Ashley's death had with Raymond.
That night, Margaret couldn't sleep.
In her mind, Ashley and Raymond were two totally unrelated people.
There was no way they were connected.
Meanwhile, Raymond, burning the midnight oil at The Hughes Group, couldn't sleep either.
The work was done, and the schedule was set. Tomorrow, he was supposed to sign a contract with a new partner.
But was it really safe for Margaret to go to Ashley's funeral alone?
She and Sarah were always at each other's throats. If they started fighting at the funeral...
Raymond opened a drawer.
A black tie lay inside.
Margaret had bought it for him. He reached out to touch it, and his hard expression softened a bit.
He picked up his phone and called Sarah. "I'll go with you to the funeral tomorrow."
Sarah was shocked. "What? Aren't you supposed to sign a contract?"
Raymond's eyes locked onto the tie, and he said coldly, "It's just a contract. You're way more important."
"Raymond, I didn't know you cared this much. I'm so touched. You're being so nice all of a sudden; it's kinda weird." Sarah was so excited she could barely speak.
Raymond hung up and shut the drawer.
He thought, 'This is the last time I'll look out for her. She's my enemy now.'
Lying on the bed, Margaret's heart was racing, filled with panic and confusion.
Her gut told her something big was about to go down.
Something was gonna happen tomorrow, but she had no clue what.
This feeling of losing control was suffocating.
She tried to calm herself, 'Don't freak out. Whatever happens, I can't dodge it.'
Whatever it was, she'd find out soon enough.
Waiting from dusk till dawn drained her.
A few short hours felt like forever.
At 6 AM, she went to the kitchen, made some oatmeal, and ate a bit.
Then she changed into a black shirt and black wide-leg pants she had ready.
Even her high heels were black.
Margaret tied her hair up in a high bun.
She put on light makeup. It was Ashley's funeral, after all; she had to look her best.
She drove to her favorite flower shop, which had opened early just for her.
She picked out a bouquet.
At 9 AM, the rare bright sunlight pierced through the sky.
It shone on the snow, making it sparkle.
Margaret placed the flowers on the passenger seat and drove straight to the funeral home.
The funeral home was in the suburbs, covering a huge area.
All of Silverbrook's funerals were held there.
The drive took half an hour, and Margaret's car pulled up at the entrance right at 10 AM.
The funeral home was surrounded by tall buildings, like the ones from her school days.
They stood tall, and every room was lit.
As soon as Margaret stepped in, she felt a chill, and the air was heavy.
She looked up at the sky. It was overcast, and the sun had ducked behind the clouds.
It felt endlessly sad.
She asked an attendant and found out where Ashley's Chapel of Rest was. She then thanked the attendant.
The attendant's face was blank, neither sad nor happy, and said, "You're welcome."
Maybe seeing people come and go every day had made the attendant numb.
Margaret took the stairs to the second floor.
The second floor was a huge Chapel of Rest.
The whole space had been reserved and decorated for it.
Ashley’s portrait was front and center.
Everyone was dressed in black, whispering about something.
Margaret, also in black, walked in with no expression, only to see a crystal coffin beneath the portrait.
Ashley had makeup on, her eyes closed, lips slightly parted, lying in the crystal coffin.
Her hands were crossed, resting on her lower abdomen.
A few days ago, she was still in the hospital, bossing people around and taking her money, and now she was lying here.
Margaret looked at Ashley in the crystal coffin, feeling a mix of emotions she couldn't describe.
She murmured, "Ashley, what gift did you leave for me? Will I be able to handle it?"
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