The whispered comments drifted through the air, reaching both Elissa’s and Ernest’s ears.

The gossiping voices failed to disturb Elissa’s resolve.

“Are you leaving or not?” Elissa locked eyes with Ernest, her stare unwavering and burning with deep resentment. “Must I remind you of the circumstances surrounding Grandpa’s death? Have you already forgotten? Grandpa would never have wanted you standing here beside his casket! His spirit cannot find peace with you hovering nearby. Or is that what you truly desire?”

“Elissa! That’s quite enough!” Becker’s anger flared white-hot. How could Elissa behave so unreasonably at such a moment? Couldn’t she sense the inappropriate nature of her outburst?

Treating Ernest with such disrespect—wasn’t she simply discarding a precious opportunity?

However—

“Very well…” Ernest surrendered, gradually loosening his hold on her. His complexion shifted between deathly pale and gray. “I’ll go. Please don’t exhaust yourself with such anger—take care of your health…”

Ernest feared that Elissa’s intense agitation might damage her fragile health. He also refused to become the source of disruption at Addy’s solemn funeral. Creating such chaos would only deepen Elissa’s hatred toward him.

Even so, uncertainty held him back. “Would you prefer that Hadley remain by your side?”

The Holland family members showed little genuine concern for her well-being. If illness struck her, she would never confide in them about her suffering.

Elissa offered no response, jerking her hand free from his touch and striding purposefully toward the waiting mourners.

During this tense exchange, Eric and Hadley had quietly approached. More accurately, they had hurried over the moment the heated argument erupted.

“Hadley…” Ernest’s voice carried a note of desperate appeal.

? ’? ν．

“Don’t trouble yourself with worry, Ernest.” Before he could voice his concerns, Hadley offered a sincere nod. “I’ll watch over Elissa with the utmost care.”

A sharp pang of regret pierced through Hadley’s chest. If she had anticipated this explosive confrontation, she never would have stepped away earlier.

Without hesitation, she moved swiftly forward and gently grasped Elissa’s arm.

Eric studied Ernest’s pained expression in silence, searching for comforting words to offer. “Ernest…”

“We should leave now.” Ernest released a bitter, weary sigh. “I’ll keep watch over her from a distance.”

The funeral had to proceed. If Elissa refused his presence beside her while greeting mourners, then he would respect her wishes completely.

Ernest caught Eric’s sympathetic gaze and responded with a subtle shake of his head. “I’m perfectly fine. Today belongs to the memory of Mr. Holland. Nothing else holds any importance.”

The funeral continued according to its careful arrangements.

.

.

.