They were crying and cursing at the same time, not forgetting to hurl insults and spiteful wishes at Tarquin and Elizabeth.


    Suddenly, they noticed the convoy at the front-and froze in disbelief.


    "Wait... are those military vehicles?"


    "That can''t be! Why would there be army trucks here? Tarquin was just bringing that wretch Elizabeth to the cemetery! What''s the military doing here?!"


    They could only stare as the military vehicles arrived first at the cemetery gates. Then, right in front of their stunned eyes, came the top brass from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, stepping out of those cars one after another!


    And behind them, soldiers in various uniforms followed suit.


    They stood tall, faces solemn and stern, rifles on their shoulders, forming a silent honor guard on either side of the cemetery entrance, ready to escort a hero on their final journey.


    The Bradford family women werepletely baffled, their tears forgotten as they gaped at the scene.


    "Why... why are you all here at the Bradford family cemetery?" Allegra stammered.


    It never even crossed their minds that these soldiers hade toy Elizabeth to rest with the highest honors!


    One of the officers eyed them with a frown. "You''re with the Bradford family?"


    Allegra nodded quickly. "Yes, this is our family''s cemetery."


    The officers'' faces turned sour as they exchanged nces.


    They''d already heard plenty of unsavory rumors about the Bradford family, thanks to Elizabeth and Kendrick. The Bradfords had never epted Elizabeth—not even as a hero.


    People who can''t even respect a hero what kind of family is that?


    Before the officers could say a word, Allegra started sobbing, pitching her voice to the heavens.


    "I don''t care what you''re all doing here! Please, you have to help us! Tarquin is trying to bury his mother in our family cemetery without permission!"


    "His mother-Elizabeth-she was notorious! Everyone knew she was immoral, no better than a woman of the streets. Our family never acknowledged her, never!"


    "We can''t have a woman like that buried with our ancestors! Everyone knows bad blood in the family grave brings bad luck! She''ll curse all our descendants!" "She''s going to ruin the Bradfords! Please, you have to stop this!"


    The military officers were stunned—and furious.<fn9000> For more chapters visit fin?novel</fn9000>


    What was wrong with these women? Did they really believe Elizabeth would bring misfortune to their family just by being buried there?


    To them, beingid to rest in the family plot of a hero was the highest honor imaginable!


    "Enough!" barked Soren, stepping out of the car. His lips were pressed in a hard


    line and his eyes zed as he marched straight up to Allegra.


    "You dragged her name through the mud when she was alive, and now you won''t leave her in peace even in death Tell me who''s really runing the Bradford family?"  s


    "It''s Gideon and all of you, his selfish followers! If it weren''t for Tarquin holding the Bradfords- together, do you think there would even be a Bradford family left in Jindale City?"  s


    "Do you think you could even keep your precious family cemetery?"


    Allegra recognized Soren and all but shrieked at him, "We never


    ndered Elizabethi She was


    shameless, and you weren''t you one of her lovers? She was involved


    with you when she was alive!"  s


    But before Soren could reply, a couple of officers rounded on her.


    "How dare you insult a decorated general and a national hero? Do you want to spend the rest of your life behind bars?"


    "Take these women into custody! Hand them over to the local authorities. They need some serious re-education!"


    As soldiers moved in to detain them, Allegra was left reeling. "What... General? National hero?!"


    Soren red at her, the veins in his forehead standing out with rage.


    "You can say I loved her, but you can''t call me her lover! I never hid my feelings for her-not from anyone!"


    "And I''ll say it now, loud and clear: I, Soren, love Elizabeth. I have loved her my whole life!"


    "I have the right to love her, and I''m not ashamed of it. I don''t care what anyone says!"


    "And as for Elizabeth, her heart always belonged to Kendrick. From the beginning to the end, she loved only Kendrick!"