Chapter 194

Simon cleared his throat. "We need you to go to Karen's funeral."

"As our informant."

I held the phone in silence as he continued, "Caroline, I know you really don't want anything to do with the Jordan family right now, but you're the only one who can get into Karen's funeral without raising suspicion. Anyone else would be questioned."

"So after a lot of back and forth, we decided to ask you. Royce was against it, though. He thinks it's too dangerous for you and didn't want me to call, but with the funeral tomorrow, this is our last shot. I had no other choice but to reach out."

"Caroline, if you're not up for it, we can figure something else out."

I was quiet for a long time. I really didn't want to get involved with the Jordan family again. Since my divorce, I had cut all ties with them.

But now, I had no choice but to get involved again.

I thought of Jason, that sweet kid, swept away by the merciless waves. He must have felt so much fear and despair before he died.

He was the same age as Brett.

I couldn't let Earl get away with it, let the real culprit who hurt Jason go unpunished.

I gritted my teeth. "I'll do it. Don't worry."

Simon sounded relieved. "Great! I'll make the arrangements and tell you exactly what to do. Get a good night's sleep tonight. The funeral is in the afternoon, so we have plenty of time."

I nodded and hung up, exhaling deeply.

I never thought I'd be seeing them again under these circumstances.

To be honest, I was a bit nervous about participating in this kind of operation for the first time.

But for Jason, I was willing to do anything.

I went to Savannah's room to tell her what I had to do the next day.

Savannah looked worried. "Caroline, you know how dirty and underhanded the Jordan family can be. I don't feel comfortable with you going alone. Let me come with you."

"You can't come in with me, or they'll get suspicious. But you can wait outside and keep an eye out."

"This is the only way to help Simon and the others. I'm willing to do it. If anything happens, you can rush in."

Savannah frowned for a long time before nodding.

"Alright, but if anything happens, call me immediately. I can't stand the thought of you being alone with those Jordan family bastards."

I patted her shoulder to reassure her. "Don't worry. I know what I'm doing. I have three kids to think about. I won't put myself in danger. I'm not stupid."

We discussed the possible scenarios for the next day and when she should come in to rescue me. We talked until midnight before I finally went to bed.

It was partly to ease my nerves about facing the Jordan family again. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to sleep at all.

I woke up early the next morning, despite only getting a few hours of sleep. I was still full of energy, a mix of excitement and nervousness.

I thought for a moment and pulled out a black dress from my closet.

I had thought about wearing something brighter, but Karen was dead. No matter what she had done, respecting the dead was important.

Besides, if I did wear something bright, the Jordan family might just kill me on the spot.

I asked Savannah to get me a bouquet of chrysanthemums.

I waited at home until noon before getting into her car and heading to Karen's funeral.

The entrance was adorned with large white flowers and black ribbons. None of the Jordan family members were outside. Instead, Leo was bustling around, acting as if the person inside was his own mother.

Since the Jordan family had fallen, no one wanted to associate with them, so there weren't many people at the funeral.

After all, who would want to be involved with a family that had no company or status?

So when I showed up with the chrysanthemums, I was the first guest.

Leo was surprised to see me. "Caroline, what are you doing here?"

I smiled and adjusted my sunglasses. "I thought about it. Karen and I were family for almost ten years. It wouldn't be right not to come."

"So I decided to bring some flowers to pay my respects."

Leo snapped out of his surprise and nodded, inviting me in.

Inside the hall, a few Jordan family members in black and some outsiders were present.

Everyone in Skyview City knew the Jordan family had gone bankrupt, but Brandon's poor relatives didn't. They were all here, trying to curry favor.

So it wasn't as empty as I had imagined.

As soon as I walked in, all eyes were on me. Brandon's relatives, who knew who I was, started to criticize me.

They didn't know Brandon and I were divorced.

"What's going on? Karen's funeral is today, and you're just now showing up?"

"In our hometown, you'd have been kicked out long ago."

"Get over here and help out instead of just standing there. If I were Brandon, I'd slap you."

One of the women, dressed plainly, glared at me.

I chuckled. "You want me to help?"

She glared back. "Who else? You think Brandon should do it? Get over here and help."

"So many guests, and you don't even think to serve tea or water. What are you thinking? Showing up so late."

"Brandon wasted his time on you."

At that moment, Brandon walked out of the bathroom and froze when he saw me.

"What are you doing here?"

His tone was hostile.

The woman misunderstood, thinking he was asking why I was late. She pointed at me with newfound confidence. "Brandon, this woman showed up so late, not respecting the Jordan family at all. You should divorce her."

"On such an important day, she doesn't even help serve tea or water. She has no sense."

Brandon glanced at the woman. "Shut up."

Then he looked at me coldly. "You're not welcome here. Leave. We're divorced."

The woman was stunned, looking at us in disbelief.

I chuckled and held up the flowers. "Karen and I lived together for almost ten years, and she's the grandmother of my three kids. I'm here to pay my respects on their behalf. What's wrong with that?"