Chapter 614: The Announcements

(Author’s POV)

"Now we will proceed with the final ritual of the funeral," Chris said.

"Wait~ .... before the final ritual, I have a very important announcement to make," Jacob interrupted him, catching everyone off guard.

All eyes turned to him, some in confusion, others in curiosity. Chris, however, couldn’t help but frown. ’What announcement? This isn’t part of the script?’

Catherine thought, ’What’s up with him now? Didn’t Chris say after the flower offering that mutt’s body will be taken to be cremated? What the hell is he blabbering now?’

Brian glanced at Jacob, then at Chris, and finally settled his gaze on Catherine, and uttered, "Maybe~ ...." He paused, stretching his words. "Maybe it’s about his successor?"

"Huhh?" Catherine raised an eyebrow, tilting her head to look at Brian, then her gaze drifted towards Jacob.

Brian added, "Elder Richards, think about it. Now that Fabian’s gone and his own health is declining, he may be considering retirement? Congratulations ... you are about to become the next in line for the throne." He sounded all giddy.

Catherine didn’t really believe his words, but a sudden spark of greed flashed in her eyes. Keeping a straight face, she waited for Jacob’s next words.

Jacob’s eyes roved over everyone present in the hall. Then, glancing at Fabian’s cold body, he spoke, "Fabian was my grandson. To some of you he was a prodigy; to some an admirable person; to some he was an obedient guy; to some he was the kindest human being; and to some he was loving. But to me he was my precious family. My own flesh and blood." His voice shook, his eyes turned glassy.

Chris, Catherine and Brian pretended to listen but rolled their eyes inwardly.

’This was his important announcement. Giving a long, heartfelt speech for that gutter rat. A total waste of time,’ Catherine was getting impatient now.

Jacob continued, "Fabian lost both his parents when he was very young. When I took him home, he was frightened. His body was frail for a five-year-old. There were countless nights when he would cry for his mother and father, wanting them to be safe, wanting them to come back to him. Seeing him like that used to break my heart. But when morning came, he would toughen up and only show a strong front. That pricked me even more."

Myra recalled the tunnel from her dream and the bold inscriptions on the walls. It matched whatever Jacob had just said. Unease set in her chest as Jacob went on, "He matured so fast. He ate whatever he was given, studied like crazy until his nose bled and he caught a fever, never played like a normal kid his age. All his life, that child~ .... he has been through a lot, yet he hardly ever complained. Whatever Fabian is today is because of his quiet resilience, but also the part of childhood he had to leave behind for good. He was neither lucky nor fortunate~ ..." while saying this, he turned his head towards the four elders, then back at Fabian. "He earned everything with hard work and sheer determination."

Myra’s eyes drifted towards a quiet figure. Gunnar, who was standing far away in a secluded corner, clenched his fists in an iron grip. He didn’t dare to come close. He was blaming himself for not being there to shield Fabian in time. The scar-faced man didn’t look scary to her; rather, he looked pitiful.

"Yesterday, at the meeting, I was going to give him the reins and full authority over my business empire, as he is the only successor of Larson Group. But now, how things have changed~ ..." his voice trembled a little. "I need to recalculate everything."

"Finally," Brian spoke, his eyes gleaming, as he mumbled to Catherine. Her expression didn’t change, but her mind raced: ’There it is.’

Jacob zeroed in on all four elders and declared, "After the funeral officially comes to an end, I will be returning to my main residence and be there until the mourning period ends. Until then, I want to entrust the Larson Group to capable hands. Ms. Richards~ ..." he called her name.

Catherine stepped forward, a bit too eagerly, but quickly composed herself. "Yes, Chairman Larson~ ...." Brian couldn’t help his smile any longer. ’It’s a done deal.’

"I will entrust my company to you~," he said. Catherine’s heart swelled. But his next words brought her back to reality: "~and Ms. Silver. Please help me look over the Larson Group."

With gritted teeth, she answered, "Of course, Chairman Larson."

Silvia stepped beside her and added, "We will look after the company until you return and hand it back to you safely. Don’t worry."

Jacob nodded as he let out an exhausted breath. Then he added, "There is one more thing I want to add. Due to the sacred mourning period as well as the approaching summer break, Red Stone University and all the affiliated institutions will remain closed for the next three months." With that, he finished.

As soon as the Everests brothers heard his final words, their eyes landed on Myra. All of them were thinking the exact same thing: ’This means Myra and her family, they can come to Kimberg with us.’

Chris squinted his eyes a bit. ’What on earth is he saying? He didn’t mention any of this before. What is he planning now? I need to make the dosage stronger from now on.’ He was still muddled in his thoughts when Jacob called, "Secretary Shadow~ .... Secretary Shadow??"

"Huhh?" he jolted, but quickly regained his composure. "Yes, sir."

"We can begin the final ritual," Jacob said with a heavy heart.

Chris nodded absentmindedly.

After that, the cremation went on smoothly with Iris overseeing the process.

When Jacob walked out of the cremation room, he held a pristine porcelain jar in his hands containing Fabian’s ashes.

By now, most of the people had already gone. Only a few remained, including the four elders, a few professors close to Fabian, the Everests brothers and Myra.

Jacob stepped in front of Myra as her eyes were glued to the urn. He said, "Myra~ ... thank you for being there, Fabian." After saying that, he turned around to the line of cars that were parked in the distance. Myra stared at his back. He looked weary and old all of a sudden.

Just when Jacob was about to step into the vehicle, he called for Chris, "Secretary Shadow, you don’t need to come."

"Huhh?" Chris’s face tightened, not understanding the meaning of his words.

"You will be staying back and keeping an eye on them," he signalled in the direction where the four elders were standing. He patted Chris’s shoulder. "Don’t disappoint me." After saying his piece, he entered the car as it drove off.

To Be Continued . . . . . . . .