Chapter 397 Wade''s Funeral


    +8 Pearis


    Caden stood at the doorway, eyes meeting Zev''s. His gaze welled with tears. Without a word, he wrapped Jasper in a hug and gently took Shane''s hand, leading both boys out of the hospital room.


    "The hallway echoed with Jasper''s sobs and Shane''s choked, broken crying. The weight of grief and confusion had overwhelmed the children.


    Kelly stood silently by Zev''s side, quietly offering himfort with her presence.


    The doctors had already left. The head nurse held out the death certificate for Zev to sign.


    He stood frozen, raising his hand twice but unable to grasp the pen.


    In the end, it was Kelly who took the pen and signed his name for him.


    The assistant and Ken had already dressed Wade in his funeral attire-everything had been prepared.


    They both turned to Zev, waiting for his nod of approval before moving the body to the funeral parlor.


    "Mr. Zion, Mr. Wade said before he passed that he wanted things simple. No big show. Just let those who want toe and say goodbye...e," the assistant said, voice trembling.


    Zev gave a nod. And with that, the assistant and Ken wheeled Wade away.


    They had just reached the door when rissa arrived.


    She stood outside, eyes fixed on Wade''s body as it passed. Her expression darkened.


    Wade''s death meant his assets would no longer be contested.


    She had gone through so much to give birth to Shane, and now, all of that seemed to benefit someone else. Bitterness rose in her chest. Her hands clenched into fists, but she didn''t dare cause a scene-not now.


    "Ms. Lynch, it''s a sensitive day. Unless there''s something urgent, you should go home," Ken said, his voice low and firm.


    rissa narrowed her eyes at him, full of resentment, then scoffed and turned to Caden. She reached out her hand toward Shane. "Come home with Mommy, sweetheart."


    But Shane, crying, hid behind Caden, refusing to look at her.


    "Shane, I''m your mother." rissa was mad.


    Shane peeked toward the hospital room and whispered, "My mom is in there."


    Livid, rissa''s expression turned dark, fury bubbling just beneath the surface. She crouched down, trying to speak gently. But Caden didn''t let her get that far. He stepped in front of the child, shielding him, and said through gritted teeth, "Don''t make me p you on a day like this."


    "Shade, I won''t hit you anymore, I promise. Just give me another chance, okay?" rissa ignored him, trying to pull Shane toward her./''Please, sweetheart."


    Caden smacked her hand away from her hand, which held on to Shade. He warned, “I''m not the type who thinks hitting women is off-limits. So beat it."


    Chapter 397 Wade''s Funeral


    rissa red at him, shaking with rage, but she didn''t dare escte-not with Sidney nearby.


    With a huff of frustration, she stood and stormed out, humiliated.


    48 Pearls


    She wouldn''t give up. No matter what, Shane was her son; she carried him for ten months. That bond was her leverage and her chain for life.


    Inside the hospital room, Zev hadn''t said a word in a long time.


    He sat in the corner, hollow and still.


    Kelly stayed beside him, offering the onlyfort she could-her presence.


    After what felt like forever, Zev suddenly pulled her into an embrace. He didn''t speak. He just held her tightly, like she was the only solid thing left in a crumbling world.


    In that moment, no words were needed. They understood-now, they only had each other.


    Kelly had lost her parents, and their case was still unsolved. Zev''s father had been kidnapped and murdered -and the real killer was still out there, walking free.


    They had both lost the people they loved most. Now, they clung to the only thing left: each other.


    "Kelly ..."


    Zev finally spoke, his voice hoarse and shaking. "You''re all I have now."


    Kelly held him tighter, tears spilling uncontrobly. "I''ll never leave you. Never." Zev trembled in her arms, crying silently.


    Kelly gently rubbed his back,forting him as best she could.


    Wade''s funeral was held with quiet dignity. For all his power and presence in the business world, he left it all behind in the end.


    The media swarmed outside the Lockhart Corporation building and the mansion.


    But the funeral parlor remained peaceful, just as Wade had wished-no grandeur, no spectacle.


    Still, many came to pay respects. In Seaville, anyone with even a little influence made an appearance.


    Kelly and Zev stood at the front of the parlor, receiving mourners.


    "Rest easy, Wade," said Mick, who had to be wheeled in due to his limited mobility.


    He stared at the portrait of Wade for a long time, silent.


    Sidney and Caden stood behind him, both visibly ufortable.


    As Mick was leaving, Caden muttered under his breath, "Hypocrite."


    69%


    Chapter 397 Wade''s Funeral


    4+3 Pearls


    Mick couldn''t bear it; his face turned dark. The old man shot Caden a re and pointed a finger at him. I''ve been watching you for thest few years...


    Before he could finish, Sidney stepped in front of Caden, calm but firm. "I''m the one who spoiled him."


    Mick''s brow furrowed. He gave a gruff snort and had his assistant wheel him away.


    Caden''s eyes were red. He looked at Zev with guilt heavy in his chest. Dare not tell that; his family might have been involved in the kidnapping all those years


    ago.


    In fact, among those attending the funeral, there might''ve been several people who were part of it. They''de to mourn, faces full of sorrow-but who knew what was behind those faces?


    "Charles asked me to tell you that he''s sorry for your loss," Caden said, stepping closer to Zev. He''d thought about telling him the truth right there, but the timing was all wrong. Zev needed time.


    Thanks to Zev and Sidney''s swift efforts, they had tracked down Charles-but Charles had been badly injured and couldn''te.


    Zev nodded and turned to look at Gary, who had justid a bouquet down. "Uncle Gary, I had caught Don. How did he escape?"


    His voice cracked, eyes burning with confusion and pain. He and Charles had risked everything to capture Don. But the moment Zev rushed to see his dying father, Don vanished, right from under Gary''s team''s watch.


    It didn''t make sense-unless someone let him go on purpose.


    Gary swallowed hard, unable to offer any exnation.


    Zev''s eyes were red. He couldn''t understand it. Why would he spare Don?


    That man had been the only living witness in his father''s case.


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