Briony gave him a deep, respectful bow. "Dr. Clarke, thank you so much for coming."

Cedric Clarke scratched the back of his head, looking distinctly uncomfortable. "Actually, I just ran into Stewart and the others in the parking lot."

At his words, Briony's brow furrowed.

"The others?" Stella had a bad feeling. "Who's with Stewart?"

Before Cedric could answer, a commotion sounded at the door.

Stewart walked in with Rosita at his side, and Irwin trailing after them-his forehead still bandaged.

"Oh, you have got to be kidding me." Stella rolled up her sleeves, eyes narrowing. "If I don't lose my temper over this, then—"

Stella's mother, Scarlett Joyner, swooped in just in time, grabbing her arm and hissing, "What do you think you're doing? This is a funeral. Get a hold of yourself."

Stella gritted her teeth, barely keeping her anger in check. "They're obviously here to cause trouble!"

"The dead deserve respect," Scarlett warned. "Let's just see what they're up to. Don't do anything rash."

With no choice, Stella forced herself to swallow her outrage, at least for now.

to the front, accepting a candle from one of the funeral staff,

planting herself squarely

and Rosita both stopped, caught off

no right to mourn my mother," Briony spat, her glare filled with utter contempt, as if she

about to say something, but Cedric Clarke quickly pulled him

dropped his voice. "Are you insane? It's bad enough you showed up, but why

meetings for this. She really means it," Stewart muttered. "Briony's

three seconds before finding his voice. "Unbelievable... Stewart,

sarcasm in Cedric's tone. His expression

completely missed the

eyes red

accept, but

let out a cold laugh. She lifted Julia's portrait and held it right in front of Rosita. "Rosita, do you dare look my mother in the eye and swear you

image, her brow creasing. She

step back, her voice trembling with innocence. "Ms. Kensington, please calm down. If Ms. Hudson were here, she wouldn't want to see you

left me a voice

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