Chapter 3 - The Fiancée Who Attended the Funeral Smiling
Claire stood among the mourners wearing a black silk dress and pearls from Eleanor’s collection.
Daniel looked at her as though the chapel floor had disappeared beneath him.
“You knew my mother was alive?”
Claire shook her head.
Victor’s recording continued.
She could be heard saying, “Daniel will sign anything once you tell him she is dead.”
Claire finally admitted she had helped prepare the hospital papers, but claimed Victor told her Eleanor was terminal and wanted a private burial.
Eleanor stared at the pearls around Claire’s throat.
“You wore my jewelry to my funeral before the dirt even touched the coffin.”
Claire’s composure cracked.
“I was promised security.”
Eleanor answered coldly.
“You traded another woman’s life for a mansion and still expect sympathy because your price was fear.”
Victor defended her.
“Claire understands how old families survive. Loyalty requires difficult choices.”
Daniel stepped toward him.
“No. You call betrayal loyalty when poorer people pay for it.”
Claire revealed that Victor had promised her control of the Mercer Foundation after marrying Daniel.
The foundation appeared charitable, but Eleanor’s records showed it was funded by unpaid worker pensions and denied medical claims.
Former employees stood in the chapel’s rear rows, wearing borrowed black clothing because the company had canceled their retirement benefits.
One elderly housekeeper, Rosa Delgado, raised her voice.
“My husband died waiting for treatment while Claire wore pearls bought from our deductions.”
Then Rosa handed Daniel a hospital photograph.
It showed Eleanor being wheeled alive through a private service tunnel.
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The person pushing the gurney was Dr. Hale.
Walking beside him was Daniel’s late father, Charles Mercer—who had supposedly died five years earlier.
