The Disgraced Heir: A Trillion-Dollar Revenge

“Someone should have told the beggar that this funeral was for the family, not for people looking for a handout.”

Adrian Cole had barely entered the funeral hall when the insult reached him.

“Thank goodness Isabella hasn't married him yet,” a woman murmured. “Imagine bringing a man like that into our family.”

Another guest shook his head. “And now the VANTEX contract signing has been delayed. Ever since that useless man became part of this family, we've had one problem after another.”

Adrian ignored them and walked toward the coffin at the front of the hall. After his father died, his grandfather had taken him into Whitmore Mansion despite the family's objections and defended him whenever the others tried to drive him away. Now, the only person who had stood up for him was gone.

Adrian knelt and gripped the coffin edge.

“Grandpa, why did you have to leave so soon?” 

“You promised I wouldn't have to face everything alone. What am I supposed to do now?”

Tears blurred his vision before a voice sounded behind him.

“Stop making a scene, loser.”

Michael Whitmore grabbed Adrian's arm and hauled him to his feet. Simon Whitmore stood beside his older brother, watching with an unreadable expression.

“Let go of me,” Adrian said, pulling free.

Michael noticed several influential businessmen watching them. He immediately changed his expression and loosened his grip.

“Calm down, Adrian. I know you're upset.”

Before Adrian could respond, four men in black suits approached the coffin.

“Where are you taking him?” Adrian demanded, stepping into their path.

“The viewing period is over, sir,” one attendant explained. “We'll move the coffin to our designated holding room until the burial arrangements are finalized.”

“Please confirm that with your supervisor before you move him.”

The attendant nodded and stepped away to make the call.

Michael leaned closer to Adrian. “You're embarrassing this family in front of our guests.”

“I'm making sure they take care of Grandpa.”

“Keep this up, and you'll have nowhere to go when we return home.”

Simon stepped between them.

“Let me handle this.”

He waited until the attendants were out of earshot before facing Adrian.

“Grandpa was the only reason you were allowed to stay at Whitmore Mansion. Now that he's gone, don't expect the family to keep protecting you.”

Adrian frowned. “So I'm supposed to stay silent while you treat Grandpa's funeral like an inconvenience?”

“Believe whatever you want,” Simon replied calmly. “Just remember that you have no one left to protect your place in that house.”

He turned away before Adrian could answer.

The attendant returned with confirmation from the supervisor, and the men carried the coffin through the doors toward the holding room. Adrian watched them leave as the guests resumed their conversations, leaving him alone beside the empty space where his grandfather's coffin had been.

“Mrs. Whitmore, I'm truly sorry for your loss.”

Adrian turned as Daniel Sterling approached Eleanor Whitmore. As chairman of Sterling Automotive Group, Daniel was one of the most influential businessmen in the automobile industry. He came to pay his last respects because Adrian's grandfather had once helped his father's company through a difficult crisis.

Eleanor accepted Daniel's embrace and dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief.

“Thank you for coming, Mr. Sterling. My husband always spoke highly of your family.”

“My father never forgot what your husband did for him,” Daniel replied. “He taught me to remember the people who stood by us when we needed help.”

Eleanor nodded, then asked, “Have you had a chance to consider our plans for future business?”

“We can discuss that another day,” Daniel said politely. “Today, we should focus on paying our respects.”

He paused before asking, “Have you decided on the burial date?”

“Not yet,” Eleanor replied. “We're still finalizing the arrangements. We'll inform everyone once we've reached a decision.”

Adrian stepped forward.

“Grandma, why hasn't the burial date been settled? Grandpa deserves a proper funeral. We shouldn't leave him in a holding room while everyone waits to make a decision.”

Eleanor turned toward him, her expression hardening.

“Adrian, this is a family matter. You don't need to question every decision I make.”

“He was my grandfather too. Whatever disagreements you had with him, he deserves to be laid to rest with dignity.”

Michael moved toward Adrian, but Daniel spoke before he could intervene.

“I'm sure the family will settle the arrangements soon, Mrs. Whitmore.”

Eleanor forced a smile. “Of course. We will take care of it.”

Daniel then looked at Adrian.

“I'm sorry. I don't believe we've met before. What's your name?”

Before Daniel could respond, Eleanor laughed dismissively.

“Oh, him? That's Adrian Cole, the son of our former gatekeeper. His father worked for this family years ago, and we've been kind enough to let the boy stay at Whitmore Mansion.”